IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUBMARINE TELE- GRAPH CABLES, AND IN THE MODE OF SUBMERGING OR LAYING THEM IN THE WATER
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUBMARINE TELE-
GRAPH CABLES, AND IN THE MODE OF SUBMERGING OR LAYING THEM IN THE
WATER." A communication from abroad by Jean Lucien Arman, of
Rue St. Sebastien, Paris, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 12th September 1865, and dated the 11th April 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th April 1865.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUBMARINE
TELEGRAPH CABLES, AND IN THE MODE OF SUBMERGING OR LAYING THEM IN THE
WATER," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to the construction of submarine telegraphic
cables, the object being to render them sufficiently light to float in the water,
and at the same time of such a strength as will enable them to resist any
strain or violence to which they may be subjected; and also sufficiently elastic
to allow of their stretching when required; and also of being made to follow
any desired curves.

page_text: In order that the cable may be both light and strong, the inside or core is
to be constructed of hemp or other similar light but not spongy or absorbent
materials. This core having been formed of the desired thickness (which may
be ascertained by experience), one or more electric cables are to be wound
helically round it so as to form a kind of coiled spring, which will allow of the
cable stretching to a certain extent, and also bending in any direction according
to requirement. Then in order to protect the cable from injury, and give it
sufficient floating power, it is covered with Indian hemp or such like material
to any desired thickness.
It will be easily understood that as a cable thus formed will float and give
in any direction, it admits of being readily transported from place to place,
and placed in position. In doing this (which forms the second part of the
Invention) the cable is not allowed to float on the surface of the water, as
that would expose it to injury and impede navigation, neither is it laid at the
bottom of the water, but it is sunk to a convenient depth (say, from 100 to
150 feet) so as to be out of the way of vessels and from all other injury, and
"yet easily displaced or removed when required for repairs or other purposes.
This is effected by attaching weights to it at suitable distances as it is
unwound from the vessel and laid in the water. In order to indicate the
direction in which the cable is laid floating buoys or lighthouses may be
attached to it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 11th October 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of. April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in. the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign, did,. for Herself; Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special licence that I, the
said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, admi-
nistrators, 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,

page_text: 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 CONSTRUCTION OF SUBMARINE
TELEGRAPH CABLES, AND IN THE MODE OF SUBMERGING OR LAYING THEM IN THE
WATER," being a communication from abroad by Jean Lucien Arman, of Rue
St. Sebastien, Paris, in the Empire of France, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Edward Newtou, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement; reference being bad to the Drawings .hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates, firstly, to the construction of submarine telegraphic
cables, the object being to render them sufficiently light to float in the water,
and at the same time of such a strength as will enable them to resist any
strain or violence to which they may be subjected; and also sufficiently elastic
to allow of their stretching when required; and also of being made to follow
any desired curves.
In order that the cable may be both light and strong, the inside or core is
to be constructed of hemp, or other similar light but not spongy or absorbent
materials. This core having been formed of the desired thickness (which may
be ascertained by experience), one or more electric cables are to be wound
helically round it so as to form a kind of coiled spring, which will allow of the
cable stretching to a certain extent, and also bending in any direction according
to requirement without the liability of damaging the electric wires. In order
to protect the cable from. injury, and give it sufficient floating power, it is
covered with Indian hemp or such like material to any desired thickness.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent respectively
an outside view, horizontal and vertical section, of a submarine cable constructed
on the principle of the present Invention; Fig. 4 shews the manner of con-
structing or arranging the electric conductor; and Fig. 5 represents the
manner of submerging the cable, which forms the second part of the
Invention.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, a represents the outside covering, which consists of

page_text: Indiam hemp or such like material; b, b, are the electric conductors, which
are formed of two parts, as shown at Fig. 4, and are coiled round the central
core c, which is made of hemp or other suitable light non-porous substance.
In Fig. 4 the electric wires are seen at d. They are protected by an outer
covering e of gutta percha or caoutchouc.
It will be easily understood that as a cable thus formed will be about the
same specific gravity as the water, and will yield and bend in any direction;
it admits of being readily transported from place to place, and submerged in
its proper position. In doing this, which forms the second part of the Inven-
tion) the cable is not allowed to float on the surface of the water, as that
would expose it to injury and impede navigation, neither is it laid at the
bottom of the water, but it is sunk to a convenient depth, say, from one
hundred to one hundred and fifty feet) so as to be out of the way of vessels,
and from all other injury, and yet can be easily displaced or removed when
required for repairs or other purposes. The submerging and fixing of the
cable is effected by attaching weights to it at suitable distances as it is unwound
from the vessel and laid in the water. In order to indicate the direction in
which the cable is laid, floating buoys or lighthouses may be attached to it.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent, I wish it to be understood that under the
above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-
First, the mode herein set forth of constructing telegraphic cables, whereby
they can be made sufliciently light to float; also solid or strong enough to
resist the various effects to which they may be subjected; and also of sufficient
elasticity to stretch accordingly as may be required.
And, secondly, I claim the manner herein set forth of submerging submarine
cables.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Eleventh day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight bundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)