The Story of the Atlantic TelegraphField, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)
History
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)
Transatlantic cables
"Tuesday, August third. At a quarter-past eleven, ship's time,
received signals from on board the Agamemnon, that they had
paid out from her seven hundred and eighty miles of cable. In
the afternoon and evening passed several icebergs. At ten
minutes past nine P.M., ship's time, received signal from the
Agamemnon that she was in water of two hundred fathoms. At
twenty minutes past ten P.M., ship's time, Niagara in water of
two hundred fathoms, and informed the Agamemnon of the same.
"Wednesday, August fourth. Depth of water less than two hundred
fathoms. Weather beautiful, perfectly calm. Gorgon in sight.
Sixty-four miles from the telegraph-house. Received signal from
Agamemnon at noon that they had paid out from her nine hundred
and forty miles of cable. Passed this morning several
icebergs. Made the land off entrance to Trinity Bay at eight
A.M. Entered Trinity Bay at half-past twelve. At half-past two,
we stopped sending signals to Agamemnon for fourteen minutes,
for the purpose of making splice. At five P.M. saw Her
Majesty's steamer Porcupine [which had been sent by the British
Government to Newfoundland, to watch for the telegraph ships]
coming to us. At half-past seven, Captain Otter, of the
Porcupine, came on board of the Niagara to pilot us to the
anchorage, near the telegraph-house.[A]
"Thursday, August fifth. At forty-five minutes past one A.M.,
Niagara anchored. Total amount of cable paid out since splice
was made, ten hundred and sixteen miles, six hundred fathoms.
Total amount of distance, eight hundred and eighty-two miles.
Amount of cable paid out over distance run, one hundred and
thirty-four miles, six hundred fathoms, being a surplus of
about fifteen per cent. At two A.M., I went ashore in a small
boat, and awoke persons in charge of the telegraph-house, half
a mile from landing, and informed them that the Telegraph Fleet
had arrived, and were ready to land the end of the cable. At
forty-five minutes past two, received signal from the Agamemnon
that she had paid out ten hundred and ten miles of cable. At
four A.M., delivered telegraphic despatch for the Associated
Press, to be forwarded to New York as early in the morning as
the offices of the line were open.
"At a quarter-past five A.M., telegraph cable landed. At six,
end of cable carried into telegraph-house, and received very
strong currents of electricity through the whole cable from the
other side of the Atlantic. Captain Hudson, of the Niagara,
then read prayers, and made some remarks.
"At one P.M., Her Majesty's steamer Gorgon fired a royal salute
of twenty-one guns."
Thus simply was the story told, that in a few hours was to send a thrill
throughout the continent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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