The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-17

Mr. Fields Own Graphic Account OF the
Great Achievement.

-
the New York Chamber of Commerce Of
November IS. 1865. he told about the recoy
cry of the cable which waslost IN the ocean
bed, and in view OF the great promoter
death il will be interesting to recall hi
words on that occasion:
After landing the cable safely at New
.oundland we had another task 10 return
/ 10 mdocean and recover that lost in the ex
/ pediton Of last year. This achievement
/ has, perhaps. excited more surprise thar
/ the other. IL was the triumph OF the high
[ est nautical and engineering skill. We haC
! four ships. and on board OF them some O
| the best seamen in England men who
/ knew the ocean as hunter knows every
/ trail in the forest. There was Captain No
/ Rarity. VINO Was in the Agsmemnon il
/ 1s5i-5o.
He WAS in the Great Eastern last year
| and saw the cable when 1t broke: and be
/ and Captain Anderson at once took Their
| observations so exact that they could 60
! right 10 the spot After finding t.they
marked the line Of the cable by a row
| Of buoys for fogs would come down and
smut out sun and stars so that no man
could take an observation. These buoys
were anchored a few miles apart. They
were numbered and each had a flagstaff
on it. so that it could he seen by day;
aud lantern by night Thus having
taken our bearings. we stood OF three or
four miles, so az 10 come broadsde on;
and then. casting over the grapnel. drift
ed slowly down upon il. dragging the
bottom OF the ocean as we went. At hrst
J. was little awkward TO hsh In such
deep water. but our men got used 20 1t,
aud soon could cast a grapnel almost as
straight as an old whaler throws hGr-
pooh.
Our fishing line was of formidable size:
1t was made or rope. twisted with wires oil
steel. so as 10 bear a strain Of thirty tons.
IL took about two hours for the grapnel TO
reach bottom. but we could tell when II
struck. | often went 10 the bow and sat on
the rope, and could feel by the culver that
the grapnel was dragging on the bottom
two miles under US. But II was very slow
business. We had storms and Gains and
fogs and squalls
"Stlll we worked on dayafter day. Once
on the 18th day of August we got the ohoie
up. and had it in full sight for five minutes
a long. Shiny monster fresh from the ooze
OF the oceans bed but our men began u
cheer so wildly that II seemed TO be lrght-
ened. and suddenly broke away and went
down into the sea.
This accident kept us at work two weeks
longer but finally, on the last night OF Au-
gust, we caught it. We had cast the CRAP
mel thirty times. II was "A little before
midnight on Friday night that we hooked
the cable, and il was little after midnight
Sunday morning when we got II on board.
Wat was the anxiety OF those tWenty-slX
hOurg. The strain on every mans life was
ike She strain on the cable itself. When
finslly it appeared it was midnight The
lights of the ship and IN the boats around
our BOWS, as they flashed Ia the faces of the
men showed them eagerly watching tor the
cable 20 appear on the water.
"Atlength il was brought 20 the surface.
All who were allowed 20 approach crowded
forward 20 see IT, Yet not q word WAS
spoken. only the voices OF the officers IA
command were heard giving orders. All
felt as ii lie and death hung on the issue.
IL ,fas Ouly when 10 was brought over the
bow and on the deck that meu dared 10
breathe. Even then they hardly believed
their eyes. Some crept towards 10 % feel OF
IT, 10 be sure 10 was there. Then we carried
II along 10 the electricians room 20 see #
on. long sought treasure was alive or dead.
a few minutes OF suspense. and a fash
tod OK the lightning current again set free.
Then did the feeling long pent up burst
forth. Some turned away their heads and
wept. others broke into cheers. and the cry
ran from man 10 man, aud WAS heard down
in the engine-rO0ms deck below deck, and
from the BOATS on the water. and the other
ships while rockets lighted up the darkness
OF the sea.
Then with thankful hearts we turned
our faces again 90 the west. But soon the
wind rose and for thirty-slx hours we were
exposed o. all the dangers Of storm on the
Atlantic Yet in the very height aud fury
OF the gale. as ] sat IN the electricians room,
Il flash OF light came up from the deep,
which. having crossed 10 Ireland. came
back 10 me IN mid-Oceau. telling that those
SO dear 10 me whom ! had left on the banks
OF the Hudson were well and following US
with their wishes and their prayers.
This was like o whisper OF God from the
sea. bidding me keep heart and hope. The
Great Eastern bore herself proudly through
the storm, as if she knew that tie vital cord
which was T. Join the two hemispheres
hung at her stern, and so on Saturday, the
eth If September. we brought our second
cable safely 90 the shore
Afterwards, in speaking of his greatest
work. Mr. Field said
1T has been a long hard struggle nearly
thirteen years Of anxious watching and
ceaseess toll. Often my heart has been
ready 20 sink. Many times when wander
ing in the forests OF Newfoundland ~ the
pelting rains. or on the decks Of ships on
dark night, alone far from home have
almost accused myself Of madness and folly
TO sacrifice the peace OF my family and all
The hopes Of my life for what might prove,
alter all. but dream.
90 have seen ny companions. one and
another falling by my side. aud feared
that l. too. might not live 20 see the end.
And yet one hope has led me on, and !
have prayed that might not taste Of death
til this work was accomplished. That
prayer is answered. and now beyond all
acknowledgements % men is the feeling Of
gratitude ~ Almighty God.