The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-18
THE CUBA CABLE.
The New Line from Florida 10 Havana
Causes Of the Mishap-Details Of the Expe.
ditiOn.

oh VIC rourtn OF July your correspondent wendeO
his way TO the humble (but now never TO be forgot
ten) hamlet OF La Chorrera, four and half miles
west OF this port. Mr.. w. IL. Hail. the able and well
known electrician who did signal service during tho
and is now the agent and manager OF the Inter-
national oceanic Telegraph Company's Office In Key
West, had promptly apprised US when the steamship
Narva, with the twin cable might appear with her
two consorts, the United States steamship Gettys,
burg, Commander Irwin, and the Spanish steam
frgate Francisco de Ass, Commander Montenegro.
The preparations made for the laying Of this second
submarine cable between Cuba and Florida were
duly given in detail by the HERALD and must there.
fore be known everywhere.
The Gettysburg, true to her trust, after completing
her soundngs preparatory to the laying OF the cable
from Jamaica to Aspinwall, had already returned to
Key West before the Narva left and as the Francisco
de Asis also proceeded there the three ships under
their respective nags, set sail together from Key
West each and all being equally engaged in good
and glorious cause. As on former occasion, the
American and the Spanish ships acted true COM
pogaaons de eogage to the English Ship accompanied
the Narva IN her momentous excursion, and in
which good work both rendered efficient SERVICE
The Spanish ship took the lead as by token Of vel
come to the Cuban shores. The officers exceedingly
afable men Of the Spanish navy, accompanied
me to the ancient watch fort OF Santa DOrQthea
a sort OF Martello tower with draw-
emnence IL was not possible to espy anything like q
sail or stick on the horizon. Finally, at about eight
O'Clock, we discemed the Francisco de Asis making
for Havana port, and at concluded that
change in ''my base OF observation was advsable-
the more so as the horse cars from ChOrrera to
Havana only run once an hour | returned forth
with to the city In the at nine O'clock The frgate
was already &C her moorinys when ] arrived, which
gives you an Illustration OF rapid travelling here by
land. On board learned OF the petit eontre-temps
that had occurred which, however, WAS to my dsap-
pointment aud but for which the laying OF the twin
cable would have proved complete success.
The enterprise was a perfectly prosperous
the slightest interruption, till within lew miles OF
these shores There was no parting OF Tue cable.
Its success was simply interrupted; short delay in
its perfection was inevitable.
From the moment the Earva left Key West after
splicing this new cable to the Florida end and i'm
mersing 1t into its watery bed, Mr. Hall had the care
or the testing &C., In Key West The paying out Of
the cable reported with the greatest nicely and
constancy, till an advanced hour of the night these
moonlight nights have been very judiciousy availed
of this time to tighten the labor of the mem and
even till an early hour in the morning. Ever and
anon was heard by the wires the progress The ship
was making, without the slightest accident inter-
vening, until she got nearly in direct line
with the desired coast and not many miles of.
The Narva met with strong easterly current when
she was still twenty miles from the Havana light
house and against which she was barely able to COPE
At about four a. NJ, when the ship within seven
miles OF the Chorrera, she encountered an I'M
usually severe current, which, despite all efforts to
overcome, drove her entirely out OF her course the
more so as the Narva was then in light trim in con-
sequence OF having payed out nearly the entire
away eastery beyond the MORO Castle, just in front
Of Cogimar, where, at distance Of about three
miles from the shore the cable was securely fastened
to buoy attached to an anchor sunk in three hun
dred fathoms OF water, after which the Narva an
chOred just beyond the MORO Castle, awaiting ORDERS
Narva cher former first mate), believing that
the Spanish marine officers OF the Fran
their own shores better than the Americans.
followed too much In the wake OF the Spanish fri4ate
in preference to that of the Gettysburg. Bat this
instance, at least, the new captain was mistaken.
The course selected by Commodore Irwin was west
Of that followed by the Francisco de ASS and If his
had been adopted the violent and unusual current
that drove the Narva so much eastward would most
probably not have carried her more than couple Of
still have remained aboard to make the connection
with the land end at the village beach. The COM
mander OF the Gettysburg has been engaged in
sounding and otherwise familiarizing himself with
the Gulf OF Mexico Tor months. Both the com.
mander and his officers are better acquainted with
the currents and everything connected with the
Gulf Stream than some might suppose. 1t Is, how
ever due to the captain OF the Narya to that the
current that carried the ship so much out
for which ! have the excellent authority
of a competent party on board the Gettysburg, who
avows never having met SO strong culrent as the
one in question in all his Gulf experience. IL is calcu
lated that there is perhaps, sufficient number OF
miles OF cable left on board the Narva to connect tho
land end at the Chorrera. But II am nor mistaken
neither Of the representatives Of the contracting par
ties on board would like to take any responsibility
beyond what the contract authorizes, and Doth, no
doubt. have agreed to await the necessary decision
from the principals rather than expose themselves
having had entire success. II appears TO me that
there are but two ways open for selection. The nrst
is to change the land end from Chorrera Cogi.
mar, the Narva having more than sufficient
cable to connect the buoyed end With
the mainland. The other plan Is to underrun the
cable to a certain distance aud lay it anew, In q
more direct course, to the Chorrera. This latter
operation may entail some risk and turn out q more
expensive undertaking than the former. The terms
OF the contract however, and the goody feeling exs
istng between the two contracting parties Will
The new cable embraces all the lates; improve
ments in the science OF submarine telegraphy and ID
more highly insulated than any previous line-per.
haps twenty per cent more than the first Cuba
cable.
Narvs Of the London Gutta Percha Company fur
nishing the cable, Is Sir Charles Bright NJ On
board the same vessel Is Mr. w. H. heiss Electrician
and General superintendent OF the !. 0. r. Co.,
representing the interests Of said company in the
laying Of this second line Of the Cuba Submarine
The Gettysburg to make the most of her time, de.
termned to go to Key West on Sunday last but
Charles Bright TO his ship as he would take him to
the Chorrera to famiarize Sir Charles with the
true bearings and appearance OF the creek and hams
let Your correspondent was among the party.
much gratifed at the manly and courteous inter.
course between all on board. After enjoying q
perfect view OF the locality Sir Charles was con-
Quoted back to the Narva, near the MORO, and the
Gettysburg then steamed for Key West She returned
early to-day and In the forenoon went % C1-lmar to
ship the buoy and cable end, while tho Narva now
ballasting IL 10 leave this evening Iol her. To-
morrow morning an effort will be made 20 rsh M
part OF the land end, and IL unattended with any
risk to the enterprise and SUFFICIENT cattle be re-
covered TO make the line compete, with
the help OF that now board the whole
operation to the Chorrera will In a day or two be
finally concluded. But In the event that there be
any risk in undermining the part already laid IL viii
be secured TO the shere at Cogimar while another
piece Of cable be seat out from England
Before concluding must not forget mention the
agreeable time spent on Sunday last on board the
Narva. Commander Irwin and Sir Charles Bright
were carefully comparing notes OF the pas two days,
scrutinilng charts. &C. NC. The greatest cordially
kevailed throughout the day.
sir Charles Bright, believe Is o member OF the
London Yacht Club and great patron OF all marine
enterprises when he gets through the present BUST
ness he intends 10 return TO England pay lay visit
TO New York prior to starting for Alex qndrIa and
Malta where he Is to be next month TO lay another
cable.