The Story of the Atlantic TelegraphField, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)
History
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)
Transatlantic cables
"I requested Captain Wainwright, the commander of the English
Telegraph Fleet, to order the Agamemnon to remain with the
Niagara and Susquehanna, in this deep part of the Atlantic for
a few days, to try certain experiments which will be of great
value to us, and then sail with them back to England, and all
wait at Plymouth until further orders. I further requested
Captain Wainwright to order the Cyclops to sound here where the
cable parted, and then steam back to Valentia, with letters
from me to Dr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Saward, the secretary of the
Atlantic Telegraph Company; and that he should take me in the
Leopard as soon as possible to Portsmouth.
"All of my requests were cheerfully complied with, and in a few
hours the Cyclops had sounded, and found the bottom at two
thousand fathoms, and was on her way back to Valentia with
letters from me; the Niagara and the Agamemnon were connected
together by the cable, and engaged in trying experiments; the
Susquehanna in attendance, and the Leopard, with your
affectionate ---- on board, on her way back to England.
"In my letter to Dr. Whitehouse I requested him to telegraph to
London, and have a special meeting of the Directors called for
twelve o'clock on Saturday, to decide whether we should have
more cable made at once, and try again this season, or wait
until next year.
"I shall close this letter on board, so as to have it ready to
mail the moment we arrive at Portsmouth, as I wish to leave by
the very next train for London, so as to be there in time to
meet the Directors Saturday noon, and read them my report,
which I am busy making up.
"Do not think that I feel discouraged, or am in low spirits,
for I am not; and I think I can see how this accident will be
of great advantage to the Atlantic Telegraph Company.
"All the officers and men on board of the Telegraph Fleet, seem
to take the greatest interest in our enterprise, and are very
desirous to go out in the ships the next time.
"Since my arrival, I have received the greatest kindness and
attention from all whom I have met, from the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, down to the cabin-boys and sailors. The inclosed
letter from the Knight of Kerry, I received with a basket of
hothouse fruit, just as we were getting ready to leave Valentia
harbor.
Your ----
"Cyrus W. Field."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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