Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-02


mile of the cable hauled back,
when it was found there was a puncture
in it, which had then affected, and would
in time have completely destroyed, the
insulation. The puncture penetrated
clear through the iron covering, also
through the gutta percha, and 1t was evi-
IDENTIFY done by some sharp instrument.
When, where, how and by whom it was
done is mystery. There were no incl
dents of particular account subsequent to
this, until the 2sth, when similar fault
from similar cause was discovered and
repaired in the same way, the puuctured
portion being cut out and new splice
made. On the following three days
everything went we'll. The weather was
fine, the signals perfect, and everybody
on board was in high glee. On the 3Oth
instant, however, there was another leak
or escape discovered in the cable, and
fears that another puncture would be dis
covered were fully realized. While at
tempting to recover it for the purpose of
repairing it there came up heavy gale
from the southwest, which rendered it a
necessity 10 cut and buoy the cable. This
was done in 1000 fathoms of water, and
the gale lasted for two days, during
which time the great steamer cruised
around anxiously awaiting the calm
which, it is said, always follows
storm. On the I'd Of July the sea ceased
to be turbulent, and the buoyed portion
of the cable was spliced, the third mys-
terious fault discovered and removed,
and the Great Eastern then resumed her
journey. The following day, July Sd,
there was another gale, but the old craft
survived it and the cable was payed out
continually, but not as rapidly as in calm
weather. From the 4th to the 10Th, in
elusive, everything went along well, and
on the latter day the Island of st. Pierre
was reached. Here there was consider
able of tarry.
The shore end from st. Pierre in the
direction of Duxbury had been pre-
viously laid by the steamer William Cur
rey. The services of the Great Eastern
ended at ST. Pierre, and her work was
taken up by the steamers Scanderea and
Chiltern, which composed the feet arriv.
ing here to-day. The Scanderes did the
business from st. Pierre and spliced her
cable on the shore end on the morning of
the 18Th. Communication was found to
be perfect, and congratulations were ex-
changed between the Emperor Napoleon
and the officers of the cable, the time oc-
cupied in the transmission both ways
being less than an hour
On the l4th the steamer anchored for |
short time between St. Pierre and Miqus-
Ion, but on the afternoon of the 18th she
resumed herjourney. On the 18th there
was not much done, and on the l7th there
came up gale which necessitsted the
cutting and buoying Of the cable. On
the following day, however, a splice was
made, and the paying out Of the cable
again. Everything went
along we'll until the Goth, when an en-
snapped the cable in twain
but this was repaired in nine hours, and
the work proceeded without interruption
until the following morning, when thick
fog caused the Chiltern to be temporarily
lost. She was soon found, however, and
on the 22d, the Scsnderes having paid
out all her line, the Chiltern made o
splice, and came into Duxbury to-day
with the American shore end of the sue
cessfully laid Franco-Americsn telegraph
cable. On the whole stretch of cable be.
tween here and Brest, the Great Eastern
paid out 8448 tons, or 3564f miles; the
Scsndarea 450 miles, and the Chiltern
1853 miles
As to when business will be com.
menced on this new cable, nothing defu-
ite can be said. The London Telegraph
and Maintenance Company laid the cable
by contract, and one of the terms was
that il should work successfully thirty
days before being accepted.