The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-12

OF q lost cable from the depth of two
and half miles, and for the same
reason we failed. Our graphing gear
was inefficient.
Three times out of four attempts
we hooked the cable and raised it
from the ground several hundred
1athoms Upon two occasions the
swivels of the glapnel rope broke,
and upon the third occasion our rope,
winch was made mp of ships stores,
added on to the proper rope, and
when we had once more begun % be
hopeful, If not ssmguinc, Il good look
ing siN-inch rope broke like !. thread.
Ih1s much, however, we have cstab-
hshed-we can have the cable when
ever we choose, and we fairly believe
that, with proper appliances, VIC can
lift it and complete its laying.
No one can be blamed for not an
tlclpatlng this unfortunate result.
Every kind of experiment. had been
tired and the wire had never before
penetrated the core. This and some
other aspects Seem to have fixed the
idea III some of the leading minds
that the faults have been the result of
malice l incline to the opinion that
thcy were tic result of accident, as |
Know by experience that accident will
produce more curious results than
design, and they are as easily explain
ed one way us the other But this
follows, THAI appliances should be
used that would prevent s,cl, fatal
results, whether produced hy one
cause or the other. This can bc done
hereafter ~ machinery We now know
now to construct. and the additional
security eau be had Of making those
wires OF Il number of smaller ones, so
THAT no oac would be sufficiently
strong to penetrate the core; or, if nc
ccSS;tly, cover the core With canvas or
wire Sa1zc, to make it still more
secure
This dom, :hcrc can really bc no
difficulty with this ship in lavinc sub
marine cabhs all round the worl,l.
1t would be Il long and useless story
TO ell youhow our hopes altcrnatcd
betwlNt hooe and hopclcssncss during
the ten days that we grapplcd and
llookcd :inl lost the dear old thread.
Cur backs "-c very much UP, and all
OF us Ion: to recover the: cable and
restore our prestige. 1 have become
positively eager, and hope circ,nn-
stances Will admit OF my finishing
What l haze begun.
My oplllon now is, that the com,a-
mes lntcrcSird in the success of rhis
cable arcreailv unou t!l. point of su,.-
cess. lhavc Il fear they may be dis
heartcn"d, and no wonder; but an
othcr attempt cannot fail, humanity
speaking. We know the cable is pcr
fcct III it's insulation or capacity for
transmitting messages; we know it has
the right specific gravity and the right
strength and we know it only fails in
one poilt-that of wuunlinc itself:
and even II that cannot be completely
overcome, with our new experience.
VIC Know how to meet it, recover and
repair it
dare say the hope will be thought
vlslonar.. by many. Yet, in yonr own
interests I hope I'LL concerned will ut
once order Z new cable to he made and.
completed by May. The Great Last
crn couH then sail, lay it with Ger
tanlty, ald IN The same season p;ck
up ana c>mplctc the one for tic pre-
sent abandoned.
This would be, hcvond al question,
the best way now 10 economics tie
affairs ofall the companies embarked
IN this enterprise, and my regret is
that number of capitalists were not
here to lmbihr the confidence that cX-
pcr!cncc has given AL Of us engaged
in it.
At all events. tE.c attempt should be
made to pick up the cable, and there
is us fAlr 4 prospect OF Success as there
can be about anything not yet accom-
piiShui.
Wc"rc returning to England with
the hope that capitalists Will see it AS
we 90. Mr.. Field is h,;uyant and
hopeful beyond us all; he would at
once so at the picking up. and L would
like 10 indulge lis wish. But We can
not ,,ncSII,Iy n