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378
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
·
Henry M. Field
22
An
enterprise
of
such
proportions,
that
would
task
to
the
utmost
the
science
and
the
engineering
skill
of
the
world,
was
not
to
be
rashly
undertaken;
and
before
giving
a
definite
reply
to
Gisborne,
Mr.
Field
determined
to
apply
to
the
highest
authorities
in
his
own
country.
The
project
of
an
Atlantic
telegraph
involved
two
problems:
Could
a
cable
be
stretched
across
the
ocean?
and
if
it
were,
would
it
be
good
for
anything
to
convey
messages?
The
first
was
a
question
of
mechanical
difficulties,
requiring
a
careful
survey
of
the
ocean
itself,
fathoming
its
depth,
finding
out
the
character
of
its
bottom,
whether
level,
or
rough
and
volcanic;
and
all
the
obstacles
that
might
be
found
in
the
winds
that
agitate
the
surface
above,
or
the
mighty
currents
that
sweep
through
the
waters
below.
The
second
problem
was
purely
scientific,
involving
questions
as
to
the
laws
of
electricity,
not
then
fully
understood,
and
on
which
the
boldest
might
feel
that
he
was
venturing
on
uncertain
ground.
Such
were
the
two
elements
or
forces
of
nature
to
be
encountered--the
ocean
and
the
electric
current.
Could
they
be
controlled
by
any
power
of
man?
The
very
proposal
was
enough
to
stagger
the
faith
even
of
an
enthusiast.
Who
could
lay
a
bridle
on
the
neck
of
the
sea?
The
attempt
seemed
as
idle
as
that
of
Xerxes
to
bind
it
with
chains.
Was
it
possible
to
combat
the
fierceness
of
the
winds
and
waves,
and
to
stretch
one
long
line
from
continent
to
continent?
And
then,
after
the
work
was
achieved,
would
the
lightning
run
along
the
ocean-bed
from
shore
to
shore?
Such
were
the
questions
which
had
puzzled
many
an
anxious
brain,
and
which
now
troubled
the
one
who
was
to
undertake
the
work.
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