Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-07

| terest
THE FLEET IN SIGHT.
HEARTs CONTENT, N. F. July 27.-The
cable has at length been laid
At o'clock this morning the signal on
Seal Cove Hill went up, and a cry was
raised that a steamer was certainly In
sight. Excitement instantly arose and
steam was got up on board the Marga-
retta Stevenson without delay Before
another steamer could be got in readi
| mess for start. two more steamers ap-
peared in the distance, and few min
utes after the NJ Stevenson steamed
out the narrows. The entire cable heet
soon came in view, the Great Eastern
looming up in huge black proportions
and heading in for telegraph buoy mum
Der six. In the course of an hour, with
glasses, we could make out distinctly the
different vessels, the first in order Icing
the Niger, then the Terrible, and then
the Great Eastern, followed by a mer-
chant steamer.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE NIGER.
When we got alongside the, Niger Mr..
Kerr, commander of the Margaretta Ste
venson, asked Captain Bruce What
newsY'
Captain Bruce said, 'sAll right We
have news to the day before yesterday
from Europe The Amazon was run
down off Portland on the Sd. Did you
know that2' t
Mr.. Kerr-"No, sir. What news Of
the war 2
Captain Bruce" The Austrians are
getting licked like blaZes Would you
like to hear the latest telegram 2
Mr.. Kerr" Yes.
The Margaretta gig, which had com
municated with the Niger, then returned
to our vessel with long telegram, with
news about the war and general matters
to the 2ith inst The telegrams were re-
ceived on board our little steamer with
degree of wonder, and we could scarcely
realize the fact that we were actually Pc
rusing accounts of events that had oc-
Cured only few days since. 1t is diff
cult TO describe the senation of pleasure
felt by all on board the Stevenson. Mr..
Kerr and Mr.. Maxwell shook each other
by the hand, and almost jumped about
the deck in absolute joyful congratula-
ton.
ALONGSIDE THE GREAT EASTERN.
At eight and half clock the Steven
SON was alongside the Great Eastern,
and Capt. Kerr spoke with Capt Ander-
son and Capt. Bruce, of the Niger. Cy-
rus W. Field made his appearance on the
paddle-box bridge, and waved his hand
kerchief TO us in token Of success. The
action was responded to by all on board
our steamer as well as by hearty round
of cheers.
The Myers gig then went alongside
the Great Eastern and took on board Mr.
Field, who was Immediately rowed to
Hearts Content. ..... I..
THE SPLICE WITH THE SHORE END.
About 9 o'clock the Great Eastern
came TO stand-still in a hundred
fathoms of water, and preparations for
connecting the main and shore end
cables were commenced. The big ship
was at this time mile and a quarter
from Hearts Content The Niger lay at
one side and the steamer Midway on the
other side of the Great Eastern. A
number of rowboats put out from the
stern of the big ship, and after about
half an hours work large hawser was
attached to the cable The cut was made
and the cable and hawser we're placed on
board two large aud the other small boats
engaged the operation, while three
guns at the same moment thundered out
a grand salute in honor of the event
All hands of the Great Eastern sent
up a rousing cheer, and scene of en-
thusiasm followed Hats were thrown
in the air. handkerchiefs waved and
deafening shouts rent the air. Our own
little craft was not the least demonstra-
tive in enthusiasm Officers and crew
responded to the cheers of the Great
Eastern.
BOARDING THE GREAT EASTERN.
About ten o clock / was permitted to
board the Great Eastern, and the first
person that greeted me on stepping on
deck was Mr. c. Lundy, Superintendent
-of-the Atlantic Telegraph at Hearts
Content BE says the voyage was per
feet success, not a single accident having
occurred the whole way. The splice was
made on the 18th, and at twenty minutes
past three (Greenwich time) the BIG ship
started on her westward course.
IN HEARTS CONTENT HARBoR
The Great Eastern entered Hearts
Contert harbor about hslf,past nine
o'clock. While she was steaming
through the Narrows the shores of the
little village were lined with people, ana
scores of small boats dotted the surface
of the water. The six colliers in port
we're decked with bunting, and every