Evening journal., 1912-01-15
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Story Of the First At
IantiC Cables
By Holland.
By Holland

The late Lord Kelvin, of whom it
has been said that 'he represents the
highest type Of physicists, since he
combines the powers of mathematical
reasoning with the inventive faculty
and manipulative skill of the expert
mentalist," was the electrical engineer
for the first Atlantic cables, and the
many improvements he made in the
signaling apparatus had much to do
with the ultimate success OF submarine
telegraphy. He invented the mirror
galvanometer used for cable signal
ling, and then devised the siphon re-
corder still in use for receiving the
signals
When Lord Kelvin, IN 1897, was
paying his second visit to this coun
try, L had the pleasure of spending
several hours with him. In the course.
OF our conversation ] ventured to say
that in the history of transatlantic
telegrapby his name would always be
associated with that of Cyrus w Field.
oh" replied the distinguished ply
sicist, "the apparatus which l per-
fected might have been worked out
by any man of science who had made
study of electricity. What / did did
not affect the ultimate success of sub
marine telegraphy one way or another,
10 any great extent. But have some
times thought that had it not been for
an apparatus invented by an officer
OF the United States navy. the laying
of the Atlantic cable might have been
deferred for years--possibly might
not have been attempted at all. have
occasionally made inquiries respecting
this naval officer. have not been able
to learn very much about him. But
this know-he was lieutenant, and
his name was John Brooke.
"Before Lieutenant Brooke invented
his apparatus which was afterward
utilized to great advantage in the pre-
liminafy work of laying the Atlantic
cable, it was customary for sea cap
tains to take soundings by means of
the lead, Everybody knows what that
operation is There came a time, how
ever, when the men of science were
very anxious to know what constituted
the deep bottom of the ocean and
whether and animal or vegetable life
was to be found there. Somebody was
inspired to attach a piece of grease to
the bottom of the lead, so that when
the lead was brought up there we're
attached to the grease various par
ticles or smears of mud. The creased
lead, however, was not available for
very deep sea soundings.
"The United States-I think some
time ihfhe year 1852 or '53-sent out a
man-of-War upon a purely scientific
expedition, one of whose purposes was
the discovery of features of animal or
vegetable life, If any existed, upon the
deep bottom of the ocean. Lieutenant
Brooke was a member of this eXpedi-
tion. He invented an apparatus which
| il was possible to sink even to as great
a depth as ten or fifteen thousand
feet; and he so constructed the ap-
paratus that by means OF Sits or
/ grooves in It, it scooped up and re-
! tanned specimens of the layers of mud
at the bottom of the ocean. Men of
science will always regard themselves
as indebted TO Lieutenant Brooke, be-
cause his invention was the first APP
paratus which made il possible for us
20 learn what was at the bottom of the
deep sea.
Brooks invention was purely for
scientific purposes, but as has so Of
ton happened an instrument invented
purely In the service Of science be-
came of vast advantage in developing
the commercial welfare of the world
''When the Atlantic cable PROPOSE
tion had been thoroughly discussed
both in the United States and in Eng.
land, our own naval officials decided
that it would be impracticable to lay
an Atlantic cable unless there could
be a thorough mapping Of the bottom
of the ocean. There might be they ar.
gued, crags or peaks which would cul
the cable, or the ocean bed might be Sc
deep that 1t would be impossible e
lay a cable upon it. Therefore, it was
decided to make use Of Lieutenant
Brookes invention. With it a wonder
ful survey of the ocean between Ire
land and Newfoundland was made l
showed of what the bottom of tn,
ocean consisted-a soft mud. 1t ais,
showed an extensive plain between
Valencia and Trinity Bay, with com
paratively light grades as the shores
were approached And in this surVel
demonstrated the practicability of de
posting the cable in the ocean be
tween Ireland and Newfoundland. 81
/ have often thought that, but for tn,
invention of the American naval of
ficer. Lieutenant John Brooke, w
might have been compelled to wal
many years before the Atlantic cabl
was laid-and possibly it might be un
laid to this day"
Copyright. 1912. by f. ]. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards will tell o
!