The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-20
THE CABLE ON ITS WAY.

The Atlantic cable is on its way again
The Great Eastern is heading with the great
coil aboard toward Valentia. Perhaps be-
oause such an announcement is stale from
repetition, or perhaps because the war In
Europe engrosses public attention throughout
the world, not much interest is eyinced in
the movements of the mighty ship and her
Interesting cargo. Few we suppose in this
country, at least, will invest much hope in
this third attempt to connect the continents
with the tslegraphic wire, but we are to bea,
in mind that with every failure in the great
enterp prise, there comes additional reason fol
its ultimate success. Improvements, we are
assured have been effected in the details Of
the present cable. 1t is much stronger than
the former one, "having breaking strsn oil
no less than eight tons, and yet. at the same
time, is lighter and more flexible" An
English newspaper thus describes the paw.
ing out apparatus:
1.-THE machinery for paying out is but little
altered, but il has been to some extent remod
elled; the gear has been strength ened, and any
portions which have been found defective or in
Close aft of the paying-out machinery the new
machine for picking up the cable is being erect
ed 1t will be worked by pair of cylinders oil
10 horse power, constructed by Messrs. John
Penn Il Son, of Greenwich The steam for
working these will be supplied from the boilers
of the marine engines. The picking-up machin-
cry is entirely new, and is somewhat different
from that which was formerly employed, though
similar in principle. 1t is not expected that the
strain at the stern, IN case of having to pick uu
the cable, can ever rise to six TONS more es
pecially as Mr.. Smith, the electrician will on
this occasion be enabled to keep up a constan,
test for continuity of current, as we'll as a can
slant test of insulation during the paving out
instead OF merely applying these tests periodical
ly, as on the last voyage. Hence, if faul,
should occur in the cable, this will be speediI,
discovered, II not at the momens any defect
arises, at least almost immediately after the de
fective portion of the cable has been Immersed
in the water and thus there will not be an,
probability of having to pick up any considera
BILE length of cable. The picking-up machiner,
at the bow is precisely similar to that at th,
stern, worked by similar cylinders, to be suppl
ed IN like manner with steam from the engin
boilers; care has also been taking to guar,
against the possibility of the cable coming il
contact at any time with the screw or rudder-
For this purpose large guard, styled a crnolin
guard, has been constructed and ia about helm
fastened on the stern below the water II CON
sists of a number of strong iron bars. braced In
gether by stron rings, or rather semic;reles n
iron, SO as to form species of cage round tn
lower part of the stern. The Great Eaater
ALSO on this occasion, takes out several buov
some of which are of very large size, SO tia
if the weather became 80 rough as to necessitat
their cutting and buoying the cable, it woul
not be a matter of much difficulty to recove
it."