The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-07-27
TODAY IN HISTORY
The Atlantic Cable Laid.
WHAT HAPPENED JULY 27.

On July 9T. 1866, ut clock in the
morning. the Great Eastern arrived at
Hearts Content. the American ,ermln
us OF the cable line. II would be diff
cult TO describe the feelings with which
Cyrus w. Field who, with his associates
on board, had watched the progress OF
the undertaking with intense solctude
day and nlsht-pcnned the following an
nouncement 10 his friends In New York
and which was received throughout the
whole land with unbounded delight:
Hearts Content. July 27.-We ar
rived here at o'clock this morning. All
well Thank God, the cable is laid and
Is In perfect working order.
CYRUS w, FIELD"
Strangely and happily enough. too. the
hrst European tidlngs flashed across the
cable to the western hemisphere WAS that
treaty OF peace had Just been signed
between Austria and Prussia, and that
the black war cloud which had gathered
over all Europe was fast rleeting away.
Congratulatory kilograms were immcdi
ately forwarded by MIR. Field 10 the presi-
dent OF the United States. the secretary
OF state and 10 the honorary directors OF
the Atlantic Cable company. The queen
president. as follows. The queen con-
graduates the president on the successful
completion of an undertaking which she
hopes may serve as an additional bond
OF union between the United States and
England" To this the president respond
ed with similar sentiments.
Several previous attempts had been
made TO lay a cable across the Atlantic.
The first was made In 1857, when on
August 6, a start was made from Valen-
VA, a port on the west coast OF Ireland.
Not very much OF the cable was put out
when break occurred and the end was
lost. The vessel following this misfor-
tune, returned to Plymouth Another at
tempt was made on July IT, 1855 and on
the seventeenth OF August the two yes
sells engaged succeeded In landing safely
the ends OF the cable on the Irish and
Newfoundland shores. Complete connec.
tlons were made with receiving lnstru-
ments, and the following message was
sent over the wire: Europe and America
are united by telegraph Glory to God
In the highest; on earth peace and good
VIII toward men - The event was re-
continents, The cable, however, soon
became impaired and after September l.
1t was found impossible to transmit mes
Sages.
For several years there were no further
attempts to lay an Atlantic cable; but Mr.
Field was still active In furthering the en-
terprise and enlisted new capital. The
last and successful attempt was started
on July IL. These vessels accompanied the
Great Eastern. the Terrible, Medway and
Albany. The trip was attended with lit
tie incident or trouble. until Hearts Con-
tent Harhor, Newfoundland, was reached
on the twcnty-seyenth
The success Of the enterprise was now
assured. Mr., Field WAS the lion OF the
hour Congress voted unanimously to
present him with Il gold medal and the
thanks of the nation. while the prime
minister OF England declared that only
the fact that he was a citizen OF another
country prevented his receiving high hon
ors from the British government John
Bright pronounced him ''the Columbus OF
modern times who by his cable had
moored the new world alongside the old"
The Paris Exposition Universale of
1867, gave him grand medal. the highest
prize IL had TO beStoW. He received the
thanks OF the city OF New York. with the
freedom OF the city and a gold snuff box
the thanks OF the chamber OF commerce OF
New York, with a gold medal d decora-
tlon from Victor Emmanuel King OF
Italy; an entire service OF silver from the
late George Peabody. and many other
marks OF appreciation for his great Serv-
Ice from different parts OF the world.
Today there are many cable lines con-
Britain. The cost OF a modern Atlantic
cable is about $4,000 900, and il is inter
esting to compare this amount with the
contract price of the first Atlantic cable
which was $1,l00.000. This is due TO the
great conductivity, involving, of course
more weight In the core, and also to the
increased price OF gutta -percha,
Today in 1877 Fitch made his trial trip
OF his steamboat on the Delaware 1t Is
the date OF the founding of the Bank
OF England in 1904. and of the organiZa-
tlon OF the Alaska territory in 1868. July
q Is the birthday of Charlotte Corday OF
France Q76S); Thomas Say the natural
list, who explored the Rocky mountains
with Longs expedition O7S): Eben n,
ord r .in lot