The New York herald., 1874-07-02
Description OF tho Vessel.

The steamship Faraday was built by the Messrs
Semens Brothers, Of London, for the express
work of cable laying. She was fitted and made
ready at the works OF the company, winch are sit
uated on the Thames midway between Charlton
and WoOlwich, and there shipped the wire In the
first days OF May The vessel was regarded as q
novelty, being the first, properly socalled. cable
laying ship, the Hooper ana Great Eastern having
been only altered and made temporarily ready for
such work. The Faraday was an iron ship OF 1000
tons register. but equal to carrying gross burden
OF nearly $500 TONS She 800 ieet long, 81 eer
deep, and had breadth OF beam OF 81 ieet. Her
capacity for cable storage was immense, consist
ing OF three tanks, two or which were Is feet in
diameter. the other 81 feet In diameter, and
each 81 feet deep. Five thousand tous of
cable could be thus slowed away, and 1t was
calculated that this would be equal to about
$500 miles OF the cable taken on board. The test
ing room was situated In the angie between the
two main tanks so that the cable could be
changed over at pleasure without greatly disturb.
ing the paying-out arrangements Both ends OF
the ship were alike, and, as each was fitted with
steering gear, as well as paying machinery the
motion OF the vessel could be reversed at pleas
ure with the least possible delay TO the work in
hand. The caUie mac chlnery was on the combined
princple-i. e., 1t could De made either to pay out
or 10 PICK up. as desired and as the stern OF tue
ment, any hitch 10 the operations could be rem
edied with minimum amount OF inconvenience
ana delay. Some scores OF hands were Duslly em.
ployed night and day III storing the cable IN huge
snake-ltke coils In the dinerent tanks almost TO
the very hour just previous to her departure. her
nominal burden 6.0Jv tons, but 1t II estimated
she could carry 4oO tons, and she had nearly
weight VI cable Oh bOard when sne LETT England.
Her speed under steam was ten knots an hour
and the snafts Of the propellOrs were SO placed
tnat the ship could turn IN length and q half and
tn about eignt minutes OF time.
The cable was manufactured by Messrs. siemens
Tor the Direct United states Gable Company. or
this company, the stock OF which Is held BY Eng.
lish, French, Germans and Beig1aDs. Mr. Lushlng.
ager and Chief Engineer Mr. Chauvin is the son
OF General Chauvin who was Director General or
Telegraphs during the Franc0-Prussau war. A
banquet was given on DOard the Faraday on Sat-
urday, May 2 The party included many eminent
members Of learned societies, engineers, pro.
IessOrs and distinguished foreigners. Among them
were DR.. Carpenter, Professor Williamson, PRO.
lessor Abel, LORD Bury, MAJOR Bolton, Mr.. braIn.
WE'LL q E.; Mr.. Fowler q: T.; Sir J: Coote C. E.;
Mr. Ssoa Admiral Nicholson Ms
woode. Ny: Warren De 10 Rue, &c. Dr.Wliam and
Mr. Carl Siemens the hosts on the occasion, were
determined to treat the strangers wltn the most
brother, wish the assistance OF Mr.. Won Chauvin,
manager OF the Direct United States Gable Com
eo shs party 0gssnT pro;
Of cable construction. The party were first shown
the cable tank houses, with their huge wrought
miles OF the Direct United States Gable.
1t was determined that the Faradav should sail
IN fortnight with her first cargo OF cable to com.
plete the line between point in New Hampshire
about sixty miles north OF Boston, and Newiound.
land. Returning TO England, she was to take on
BOARD the remaining portion oil the CABLE which
tween Ireland and Newloundland. The total
length OF cable laid IN the two operations would be
about 100 miles, and 1t was expected that the
wnoe would be completed about August or Sep
tember,