IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF MANUFACTURING SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES, IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN THE METHOD OR PRINCIPLE OF LAYING SAME, AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE SEVERAL COMPOUNDS DESCRIBED FOR ELECTRIC INSULATION AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1863

page_text: ge
LSSCA
Street, Strand, in the City of Westminster, and County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
MANUFACTURING SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES, IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, AND IN THE METHOD OR PRINCIPLE OF LAYING SAME, AND IN
THE PREPARATION OF THE SEVERAL COMPOUNDS DESCRIBED FOR ELECTRIC
INSULATION AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 24th March 1864, and dated the 29th September 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick George Mul-
holland at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 29th September 1863.
I, FREDERICK GEORGE MULHOLLAND, of No. 36, Essex Street, Strand,
in the City of Westminster, and County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MODE OF MANUFACTURING SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES, IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, AND IN THE METHOD OR PRINCIPLE OF LAYING SAME, AND IN THE PRE
PARATION OF THE SEVERAL COMPOUNDS DESCRIBED FOR ELECTRIC INSULATION AND
OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
In the first part of my Invention which has reference to the manufacture of
cables, I make the conductors (ordinarily but not necessarily) of No. 14 BWG
wire drawn from chemically pure copper (or as nearly so as the metal can be
obtained) preparing for insulating same by first passing it through an acid
[Price 8d.]

page_text: bath to remove all or any oxidation on the surface thereof; secondly, through
water; thirdly, between scrubbers, and from thence through an insoluble
compound or varnish prepared by dissolving shellac in naptha or other
solvent with a slight addition of muriatic acid mixed in the following pro-
portions, that is to say:-
Shellac
Naptha
Muriatic acid
from 30 to 40 paris,
100
21
0.50 13
At each junction of the wires I arrange for expansion and contraction by
allowing an overlap of the ends thereof to the extent of one, two, or more
feet to each length of wire, respectively forming the connections, by taking
one or more round turns with each fag end over the standing parts of the
conductor, so that in case of elongation while the cable is being laid, and
for the purpose of preventing undue or injurious strain on the conducting
wires each end rides over or runs in immediate contact with the other, the
friction (if any) thus occasioned causing bright surfaces, therefore preserving
perfect conduction when the insulation is completed, and I cover each of
the said junctions with indian-rubber tape, laid overlapping, consolidating
and securing same by coating with the aforesaid composition.
To prevent the absorption of the electric current in the insulating
materials, I use the fluid composition herein-before described (or any other
compound of a like nature and character) as a first coating to the conductor
preferentially, the said composition being a non-absorbent of water and a non-
conductor of electricity.
In the second part of my Invention I complete and perfect the insulation
of each respective conductor, by first passing the prepared wire through a
semi-fluid admixture of the herein-before described composition combined
with caoutchouc dissolved in benzine (or any other of the ordinary solvents
well understood by persons conversant with the manufacture of indian-
rubber, and 1 mix the several ingredients together (generally but not
invariably) after an exposure of from three to four hours (or a longer period
if found necessary) to a temperature of from 260° F. to 300° F., in or about
the following proportions, that is to say:-
Caoutchouc solution
Shellac
do.
Prepared phosphorus
Su to 90 parts.
10 20
دو
1.5,
2.5
varying the proportions of the several materials to suit the temperatures to
which the complete cable will be subjected when submerged. I then carefully
serve or overlap the said conductor with indian-rubber strips, or tapes coating

page_text: such covering again with the aforesaid composition, passing the same through
suitable dies arranged to allow, under any desirable degree of pressure, a
permanent and positive covering, of at least three-sixteenths of an inch (or
more for certain localities) around the wire, and I specially and invariably
introduce prepared phosphorus as aforesaid for the purpose of preventing
decomposition or deterioration in the indian-rubber, and as a protection from
the attacks of marine animalculæ, and the injurious effects of the soluble
salts, earthy matters, and metalliferous debris present in ocean water at
great depths in various parts of the world.
The third part of my Invention relates to the mode or method of strain-
ing and placing six, nine, or more of the herein-before described insulated
conductors at certain distances from each other, to permit an elastic cushion
or preservative compound (described in my Provisional Specification of
August th 1863, No. 1950) surrounding, enwrapping, and enclosing
same, the thickness of said protective coating being determined by the
depth of water and climatic temperature of the country wherein the cable
is to be laid.
To ensure perfect cohesion in all parts and the total expulsion of air, I
pass (in vacuum or a highly rarified atmosphere) the cable at this stage of
its manufacture through rollers grooved to the determined size of same, so
that the composition is shaped and compressed in a solid mass around
the cores or conductors, and thus from the additional strength of the wires,
and flatness of the cable, imparting flexibility, durability, tenacity, and
great longitudinal and transverse strength to the ribbon, web, or band thus
far perfected.
In the fourth part of my Invention I pass the cable (partially manufactured
as aforesaid) through a trough or vessel containing a protective composi-
tion slightly heated and prepared as follows, viz. :-
Shellac solution
Caoutchouc do.
Red lead
Prepared phosphorus
about 100
parts.
20
39
23
10 to 20
"
"
2.5,, 5.0
"
"
It must however be understood that after splicing or under other difficult
and peculiar circumstances, I merely coat or paint the surface of the cable
with the said composition, but afterwards pass its entire length through
dies to ensure perfect homogenity in the several parts, the accuracy of
size and shape and smoothness of surface.
The particular compound herein set forth being one of extreme value as a
preservative from the injurious effects of sea water, and practically preventing

page_text: the adhesion of suckers and shell fish, and the attacks, of marine worms and
insects generally, is therefore applicable to many various uses and
purposes,
among others more especially to the coating of vessel's bottoms and all and
every kind of material (whether vegetable or, metallic) if subject wholly or
partially occasionally or continuously to immersion in salt water.
The fifth, part of my Invention relates to the envelope or external
covering of the cable, and my, object being to construct one of light specific
gravity and suitable in every respect for deep sea purposes, I (except in
shallow water at the shore ends) discard the usual and ordinary outer
coating or covering of wire, and in lieu thereof substitute hemp or other
textile matter, but preferentially use green hide, and I cover the conductors
and preservative coating thereof with either hemp, hide, or other materials
(as the case may be) by laying or plaiting (with the aid of machinery in
common use for such purpose) the strands of the covering materiel over
and under, each other, from right to left alternately, in the same manner, as
crinoline bands, or steel wires are ordinarily protected.
In the sixth part of my Invention I use various well known mechanical
contrivances for feeding, guiding, stopping, nipping, and holding the cable
while laying and just previous to immersion, and while paying out I.
pass
the perfect cable through a trough (when green hide is used for. the
external covering) containing any of the well known arsenical solutions
ordinarily used for preserving animal substances, but when hemp or other
textile matter is used, I substitute Stockholm tar and slush, bitumen, or
coal tar mixed with any kind of oleaginous or fatty matter, or other
preservatives having similar chemical properties.
The seventh part of my Invention has reference to the introduction and
use of fans, worked from the vessel's engines, either for exhausting impure
air from or forcing pure into the hold and between decks, to prevent the
injurious increase of temperature below, and consequent deterioration to
the cable while coiled, from sweating: mildewing, or other prejudical
effects of close stowage.
The eighth part of my Invention relates to the submergence of the
cable, and I effect the delivery thereof without strain or possible injury by
cutting an opening in the bottom of the vessel (as close to the kelson as
possible) and erecting over the orifice a water-tight tube fitted with guide
rollers to ensure the direct and easy passage of the cable through,same.
Previous to leaving dock I pass au endless chain down the tube and
round the outside of the vessel, and when desirous of commencing operations
I secure a fag end of the cable thereto, and by hauling on the other part draw it

page_text: through the tube, and from thence to the water surface, where being received
and secured by a boat's crew, in attendance, it may be taken either to the
shore or in a similar (yet reverse manner) on board a ship in company. The
cable being delivered from the bottom and at or near the centre of the vessel,
there can by no possibility (with ordinary care and attention) be any strain,
either on the cable or ship (the action being precisely that of a salmon shooting
its roe) and further the shape and light specific gravity of the cable causing it
to subinerge slowly with comparatively little or no tension, and the non-
requirement of heavy brake machinery encumbering the between decks,
the ship in the event of encountering sudden squalls or heavy gales having
no dead weight attached to her stern, may with safety be hove to, and so
remain until a return of fine weather enables the voyage to be resumed.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details herein given, so long as the peculiar character
of my Invention is retained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederick George Mulholland in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 29th March 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
GEORGE MULHOLLAND, of No. 36, Essex Street, Strand, in the City of West-
minster, and County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Frederick George Mulholland, Her special licence
that I, the said Frederick George Mulholland, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick George Mulholland,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE
OF MANUFACTURING SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLES, IN APPARATUS CONNECTED

page_text: THEREWITH, AND IN THE METHOD OR PRINCIPLE OF LAYING SAME, AND IN THE PRE-
PARATION OF THE SEVERAL COMPOUNDS DESCRIBED FOR ELECTRIC INSULATION AND
OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Frederick George Mulholland, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Frederick George Mulholland, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
-
prepare
In the first part of my Invention, which has reference to the manufacture or
construction of submarine telegraph cables, I maketheconductorsordinarilybut
not necessarily of No.14 Birmingham wire guage wire,drawn from chemically
pure copper (or as nearly so as the metal can be obtained), and I
the
same for receiving the insulating mediums herein-after described, first, by
passing it through an acid bath to remove any oxidation on the surface
thereof; secondly, through water; thirdly, between scrubbers in a trough of
bran or other material capable of absorbing moisture, and from thence through
an insoluble composition prepared by dissolving shellac in naptha, benzine, or
other solvent, with a slight addition thereto of muriatic acid mixed in the
following proportions, that is to say, shellac, from thirty to forty parts
naptha, ninety to one hundred parts; and muriatic acid, from a moiety of to
one whole part. These ingredients are to be mixed and intimately incorporated
together in a suitable vessel, and heat applied thereto. At each junction of
the wires I allow for expansion and contraction by overlapping the ends to
the extent of one, two, or more feet to each length of wire respectively
forming the connections by taking one or more round turns with each fag end
over the standing parts of the contractors, so that in case of elongation
while the cable is being laid, and for the purpose of preventing undue or
injurious strain on the conducting wires, each end rides over or runs in
immediate contact with the other, the friction (if any) thus occasioned main-
taining bright surfaces, therefore preserving perfect conduction when the
insulation is completed, and I cover each of the said junctions with indian-
rubber tape laid overlapping, consolidating and permanently securing same
by coating with the aforesaid composition. To prevent the absorption of the

page_text: electric current in the insulating materials, I use the composition in a heated
state as a first coating to each conductor, the said compound being impervious
to moisture, and a misconductor of electricity.
In the second part of my Invention I complete and perfect the insulation of
such respective conductor by first passing the wire prepared asaforesaid through
a semifluid admixture of the herein-before described composition combined
with caoutchouc dissolved in benzine (or any other of the ordinary solvents,
well understood by persons conversant with the manufacture of indian-rubber),
and I mix the several ingredients together generall but not invariably afteran
exposure of from three to four hours (or a longer period when necessary) to a
temperature of from 260° F. to 300° F. in or about the following proportions
that is to say, caoutchouc solution, eighty to ninety parts; shellac solution, ten
to twenty parts; and previous to use I incorporate with these ingredients from
one and a half to two and a half parts of phosphorus, prepared by subjecting
same to a temperature of from forty to fifty degrees Fahrenheit during a
period of from six to eight hours. Occasionally I find it necessary to vary the
proportions of the several materials to suit the temperatures to which the
complete cable will be subjected when submerged; I then carefully serve
or overlap the said conductor with indian-rubber strips or tapes, coating
game by immersion or otherwise with the aforesaid composition, and pass
through suitable dies arranged to allow under any desirable degree of pressure
a permanent and positive covering of at least three-sixteenths of an inch (or
more for certain localities) around the wire, and I specially and invariably use
phosphorus prepared as aforesaid for the purpose of preventing decomposition
or deterioration in the caoutchouc, and at this stage I vulcanize the insulating
compounds by the well-known cold or chloride of sulphur process.
The third part of Invention relates to the mode, method, or principle of
straining and imbedding any number of the conductors prepared as aforesaid
in a composition inade by admixing from eighty to one hundred parts of
vulcanised caoutchouc, twenty to twenty-five parts of resin, thirty to thirty-five
parts of coal tar, ten to fifteen parts of shoddy or fluff with from three to five
parts of phosphorus, combining these materials by subjecting them for from
five to eight hours to a temperature of about 280° F. After surrounding,
enwrapping, and enclosing the conductors in the said compound I, to ensure
perfect cohesion in all parts and the absolute expulsion of air, pass the cable
at this stage of its manufacture, and a highly rarified atmosphere through
rollers flat grooved to the size determined, so that the composition is shaped
and compressed in a solid homogenous mass around the cores or conductors,
the possibility of the insulated wires not inaintaining their proper central

page_text: position being prevented by arranging the feed rollers so that the conductors
and the composition bands travelling at the same speed become permanently
united on coming in contact with each other in the grooves, and thus from the
size and strength of the wires, the flatness of the cable, and arrangement
of the conductors side by side, increased flexibility, tenacity, and great
longitudinal and transverse strength is imparted to the ribbon, wet, or band
thus far perfected.
In the fourth part of my Invention I pass the cable or flat rope, construct
as aforesaid, through a trough or vessel containing a protective composition
prepared at a temperature of from forty-seven to fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit
in the following proportions, that is to say, shellac solution, about one hundred
parts; caoutchouc solution, from twenty to thirty-five parts; red lead, twenty
to thirty parts; and phosphorus, five to seven parts. It is to be understood
that after splicing I merely coat or paint the surface of the cable with this
compound, and subsequently pass it through dies to ensure perfect
homogenity in its several parts, also accuracy of size and shape, and
smoothness of surface. The particular composition herein set forth being
one of extreme value as a preservative from the injurious effects of sea
water, and practically preventing the adhesion of suckers, shell fish, or
weeds, and the attacks of marine worms and insects generally, is therefore
applicable to many and various uses and purposes, among others more
especially to the coating of vessels' bottoms and all and every kind of
material, whether vegetable or metallic, if subject either wholly or partially,
occasionally, or continually to immersion in salt water.
The fifth part of my Invention relates to the envelope or external covering
of the cable, and my object being to construct a rope of light specific gravity
suitable in every respect for deep sea purposes, I discard the usual and
ordinary wire armature or outer coating (except in shallow water at the shore
ends), and in lieu thereof substitute hemp or other textile matter, preferenti-
ally using green hide, and I cover the cable with hemp hide or other
materials by the aid of ordinary braiding machinery, laying the strands of
the covering material from right to left alternately in the same manner as
crinoline bands or wires are usually protected.
In the sixth part of my Invention I use various well-known nautical and
mechanical contrivances for feeding, guiding, stopping, nipping, and holding
the cable while laying, and just previous to immersion and while paying out I
pass the perfect cable through a trough (when green hide is used for the
external covering) containing any of the well-known arsenical solutions
ordinarily used for preserving animal substances, but when hemp or other

page_text: textile matter is used I substitute Stockholm tar and slush. Bitumen or coal
tar mixed with any kind of oleaginous or fatty matter or other preservatives,
having similar chemical properties,and I use these compositions in a semifluid
and slightly heated condition.
Theseventh part of my Invention has reference to the introduction and use
of fans (worked by steam or otherwise) either for exhausting impure air from
or forcing pure into the hold and between decks to prevent any variable and
injurious increase of temperature below and consequent deterioration of the
cable while coiled from sweating, mildewing, or other common prejudicial
effects of close stowage.
The eighth part of my Invention relates to the submergence of the cable,
and I effect the delivery thereof in the following manner :-I am aware that
other persons irrespective of myself have so far back as One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six and seven proposed paying-out and laying submarine
cables, by means of a tube in midships or near a vessel's centre of gravity, but
finding in practice that a rigid tube would chafe or cut a rope with any strain
on it, I construct a flat water-tight shaft the size of my cable, with expansion
joints therein, making the head of same of flexible materials, and arranging
the delivery rollers in such manner that the point of contact or strain is
on them and overhead, in lieu of being on the mouthpiece of the tube. I
erect this tube over an opening in the ship's bottom cut as close to the kelson
as possible, and while fitting and previous to leaving dock I pass an endless
chain down the tube and round the outside of the vessel,so that when desirous
of commencing operations I can secure a fag end of the cable thereto, and by
hauling on the other part draw it through the tube, and from thence to the
water surface, from whence it may be taken either to the shore or in a similar
yet reverse way on board a ship in company. The cable being delivered from
the bottom and at or near the centre of the vessel, there can be no possibility
with ordinary care and attention be any injurious strain on the ship or the
rope, the action being precisely that of a fish shooting its spawn, and further,
the flat shape and light specific gravity of the cable causing it to submerge
slowly with comparatively little or no tension, there is no necessity for heavy
brake machinery encumbering the between decks, and the ship in the event of
encountering sudden squalls or heavy gales having nodead weight hanging on
her stern, may with safety hold her course or be hove to, and so remain until
a return of fine weather enables the voyage to be resumed:
Having thus fully described the natureand object of my Invention, and the
manner of performing same, I declare my Invention to consist in and
T

page_text: First, the application of peculiarly prepared wire of unusual guage for
electric
purposes, and the provision of allowance for expansion or contraction
in the construction..
Secondly, thirdly, and fourthly, to the peculiar mode of construction adopted
and the application of compounds for insulating; solidifying, binding, and
shaping a submarine cable:
Fifthly, the mode, method, or principle of protecting the exterior of the
rope.
Sixthly; the application of preservative.compounds to the cable while
paying-out.
Seventhly; to the introduction of fans for ventilation, and the maintenance
of an equable temperature for preservation of the cable: previous to sub-
mergence..
And, lastly, to the peculiar mode or system adopted of laying a cable:
And I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
details herein given; so long as the peculiar character of my Invention is
retained.:
FRED GEOF MULHOLLAND. (L.s.)