The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-23
A NEW CABLE.
The New Porto Rico Wire Being Laid from
Jamaica-How to Connect the North and
South American Continents and the West
Indies to the Seclusion Of Cuba.


1t has long been scheme to connect the entire
group OF West India Isl ands by telegrapny, and
the British government, through the Colonial
Once offered to grant some kind or subsidy or
| concession to any enterprising capitalists who
should undertake to carry out the idea. The West
Indian and Panama Company had at one time so
far completed it that 1t was possible to telegraph
to almost any part of Europe from these islands,
and while they were about demanding their re-
ward from the government the cable between
Colon and Jamaica was broken, thus severing the
connection and shutting of communication. No
sooner was the Colon cable repaired than the cable
laid to the north end OF Porto Rico became USE
less, thus again destroying the communication be-
tween here and ST. Thomas. And, lastly, the
Spanish authorities in Cuba have so far crippled
the operations OF the cable to Santiago ana Bata-
BANJO that it has been purely waste OF time to
attempt to use 1t for transmitting messages via
New York. five days being the time required Tor q
single word to reach your city. Notwithstanding
all the accidents OF the deep and the unjust and
untimely interference OF the Dons, the Panama
Company have determined to try again to make
the circuit complete. A few days ago two large
steamers chartered by the Telegraph Construc-
ton and Maintenance Company, arrived at this
port having on board the material for the new
Porto Rico cable One Of them the Minia, had on
The Kangaroo carried fifteen miles Of main cable,
eighteen miis Of intermediate and fourteen miles
OF shore end, the intermediate being about one
inch and the shore end about one inch and three
eighths in circumference.
The Minia after having laid the present cable,
will attempt to grapple and repair the wire now
broken at some dis lance from Porto Rico, while
the Kangaroo has to proceed to Martinique for the
purpose OF mending
THE DOMINICA WIRE,
which has been sundered in about 600 fathoms
OF water.
The shore end OF the new line will be laid-by
about Tuesday next, the 18th inst.-from Holland
Bay on the eastern extremity Of jamaica to Ponce,
on the south side ofPorto Rico. The bottom, accord
Ing to the soundings on the chart, appears to be
uneven in some places 1t is only about 600 fathoms
while only short distance further on the leads
went tumbnng down the sides OF immense hills to
the depth OF over 1000 fathOms. showing that the
bottom Is mountainous and difficult to lay wire
on.
After having been cOaled by Messrs. Nunes
Brothers, the cOnsignees and agents OF the com
day afternoon; but as there are no means Of
ascertaining by land. we are not aware ii they
have commenced to lay the shore end. The wires,
on being tested before leaving. were found to be
In splendid condition. 30 that in all probability the
enterprise will prove successful The supervision
OF the work on behalf OF the Panama Company has
been entrusted to Mr.. TheOphllus smith and a star
OF three other electricians from the office
Of Sir Samuel Canning while the contrac:
by MIR. F. Lucas and special starf Some
little difficulties are expected IN laying the
shore end for, though the British government
seem so anxious to have the West Indies con-
nected by wires to the United States and Europe,
their representative here declined TO aid in the
WORK By Ioaning small steamer. Should the
shore end be successfully laid by Tuesday, how.
ever, and the weather remain fine, the other end
will have been laid at Ponce by about the Goth Of
January
THE PRESENT CABLE TO COLON
has not proved very satisfactory investment In
time, and hence the west Indian Company refused
to take 1t over; and thus the construction COM
pany have had to hold 1t themselves. something
repair 1t when 1t broke and TO work it
as best they can, under painful dtfnculties.
tea can be gnaranteed by Sir s. Canninss cleo
tricians, then the company will take 1t over and
be Responsible Tor 1t. At present 1t works well
pletiOn OF the scheme is the arrangement, as at
present, in the island OF Cuba. SO long as the
spanish authorities are permitted to receive anu
happen TO offend the delicate sensiblties OF the
censors 1t is evident that the work cannot be CON-
pleted. At present every message must be re-
corded in Havana, where the least business refer
ence to public affairs Is sufficient to place a
despatch in the fathomless pigeon holes OF red
work completely as the prime movers In
tended, it will De necessary to lay cable
whole nt,i Of south America and the West india
islan1s would be in direct and free communication
with North America and the remainder OF the
civilized world. The immense and constantly in.
creasing commercial interests between North and
South America alone would almost justify the ex-
and ns @
and apologies may serve excellently for diplomatic
purposes but TO stop the interest on John Bulls
lore think that cuba Will soon have that exalted
isolation she has so long coveted In respect TO the