Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
CABLE is NOW BEING LAID
Shore End of Pacific Cable IL Sue
ceEsfulIy sp1iced in Perfect
weather.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14.-"In memory
OF John w. Mackay, 1 christen the Pacific
cable. May 1t always carry messages Of
happiness"
With these words Lucille Gage, the H.
year-old daughter OF H. T. Gage, governor
OF California, today christened the Trans
Pacific cable and, breaking a bottle Of cham
payne over the shore end, inaugurated a
new era in the commercial development Of
the Pacific coast.
The landing and splicing Of the shore end,
which is to connect the mainland with Hon
olulu, was accomplished without hitch Of
any kind, and was witnessed by 10000 or
40, 900 people. Ideal weather prevailed, there
being scarcely any surf.
Early this morning the steamer News
boy, carrying six miles OF cable, steamed
close inshore and with the assistance of a
lifo-saving boat sent a rope, to which the
cable was attached, ashore. Word was sent
to Clarence H.. Mackay and the cable and
Postal Telegraph oficials that all was in
readiness.
The work OF hauling in the cable was
done so expeditiously. however, that the
officials arrived on the beach only two min
utes before the cable was christened at
9:55 a. m.
While the wire was being spliced to the
land end the mayor delivered a short speech
congratulating Mr.. Mackay on the success
full beginning Of the work. He also spoke
Of the undertaking and the benefit to the
world at large that would result from its
completion.
Clarence H. Maekay thanked the mayor
and those present.
Governor H. T.. Gage, on behalf OF the
state Of California, paid a fervent tribute tc
the late John w! Mackay. The formal ex.
e%rcises closed with cheers for the cable
and all those taking part in its landing.
Refreshment tents were erected on the
beach and while the cable was being spliced
Mr.. Mackay served champagne and Other
refreshments to a large number of speci-
ally invited guests.
Mr.. Mackay also sent the following tele
gram to President Roosevelt:
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. ITO the Hon
United States, Washington; l have the
honor to inform you that the end of thu
Honolulu cable was successfully brough'
CLARENCE H. MACKAY.
President Pacific Commercial Cable Com
pany.
When the splicing was completed lat
In the afternoon horses we're hitched Il
tue emu anu ~ WAS uTdWu luIouBu IN
conduit to the cable station. At the sam
time Newsboy steamed out TO sea hve mile
and anchored the cable with balloon buoys
1t was picked up by Silverton and takel
aboard. The splicing to the main bod,
was completed tonight and silvertoI
headed for Honolulu at a seven-knot speed
The hrst message over the cable was sen
from shore to the chief engineer on Silver
ton. congratulating him on the successful
landing. Several tests we're made as tn
cable was being paid out by Newsboy and
was found to be In perfect condition.
A portion Of the cable was cut into sma
bits and distributed as souvenirs by M
Msckay among his guests.
During the ceremonies a military ban
from the Preside played. Fifty policeme
were busy keeping the crowd from the Ell
closure where the splicing was going on.
Mr.. Mseksy completed his hospitalii
with a banquet tonight to the officials
the Cable and Postal Telegraph companie