The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-07-10

of the oceans of the world. no matter how
great the depth. Some portions of the
Atlantic cables are over three miles be-
low the surface, and this is not necessarily
the extreme depth. for the cable may,
and probably does. pass from the top of
one submarine hill TO another without
dropping materially into the deep valleys
between. The greatest known depth of
the sea is 1926 feet, or seven and three
fifths miles. found in the South Atlantic
about midway between the island of
Tristan dAcunha and the mouth of the
Rio de In Plata. S0undings have been
made to the depth of %, $50 feet in the
North Atlantic. south of Newfoundland,
and about 1000 feet, or nearly six and
Il half miles, is reported south of the Ber-
mudas. Even such enormous depths as
these need not hinder cable-layng, so far
as the theory is concerned, but in practice,
for reasons of economy in maintenance
and otherwise. it is found best to take adj
vantage of fayOring conditions in the
oceans bed. To illustrate, all of the
cables between the United States and
Europe run up along our coast until they
reach the neighborhood of Newfoundland
before starting across to their destinations
in Ireland or France. The reason for this
is found in the range of submarine table
lands, forming an ideal cable-bed, which
lies between the three latter countries. In
past years immense portions of this sub
merged territory have been plotted out
and mapped by various governmental and
private expeditions, and this knowledge is
constantly being added TO. 1t becomes
particularly valuable in economic cable
laying. Except IN extreme cases, the cleo
trical conductor is not dropped overheard
hap-hazard. On the contrary, the sub
marine mountains, valleys and plains
over which it is to take its sinuous course
~. .lr rn1 lbs
their general CONFORMATION, soil-covering.
If any, and other pecullarities properly
taken into consideration Special varieties
of cable are manufactured to meet GER
tam conditions known to exist where they
are to go. Like men in all trades, the
cable-layers must adhere closely to the
specifications given them at starting in or
der to perform the right kind of work
The steamship, therefore, while going
ahead and paying out the cable over the
stern pulley. is under the guidance of
skilled hands. following q certain path,
which has been pointed out for her by
Sases on the mainland rs being the best
adapted for the comfort and ease OF the
electrical conductor she is depositing.
To readers who appreciate the uncer-
tainties of ocean navigation. with its
Gains and storms, its fogs and lowering
cloud banks, this detail will come home
very closely. OF course. the steamship has
the compaSSeS, SeXtantS, thermometers,
and charts of ordinary navigation upon
the high seas; but these are merely sup
Elemental from the point of view of the
cable-layer. As has been intimated, he
aims to measure by feet and inches. and
not by approximate miles. must not
omit mention of a couple of the ingenious
instruments which have been evolved for
this purpose.
This elaborate deep-sea lead, quickly
lowered and hOisted by means Of its reels
of pianof0rte wire. announces the depth,
and the grease filed cavity upon its I'M
derside brings up samples of the bottom,
identification of the locality an easy mat
ter. There is also what is known as the
James submarine sentry and sounding
machine This is a device called 4
kite. trailed astern Mt any required
depth. Should the bottom grow shallower
and touch the kite" it Immediately re-
leases one of its fastenings. and in so
doing rings various bells up on board of
the ship.
In due time we come in sight of tho
second cluster of buoys. Boats are low
cred, tackles made fast, and that end Of
the cable brought abroad. For a brief
space the ship becomes focal point of
news from two continents. Then, having
passed the final tests. the two ends are
carefully splieed together. the retaining
shoppers cut. and the great wire rope dis
appears i'll the depths. The cable is laid
Another .brtlge has been thrown across
an ocean.-Lippincott's Monthly Maya
zine.