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378
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
·
Henry M. Field
256
But
the
vexatious
delay
was
over
at
last,
and
the
stately
ship,
once
more
turning
to
the
West,
moved
ahead
with
a
steady
composure,
as
if
no
petty
trouble
could
vex
her
tranquil
mind.
Throughout
the
voyage
the
behavior
of
the
ship
was
the
admiration
of
all
on
board.
While
her
consorts
on
either
side
were
pitched
about
at
the
mercy
of
the
waves,
she
moved
forward
with
a
grave
demeanor,
as
if
conscious
of
her
mission,
or
as
if
eager
to
unburden
her
mighty
heart,
to
throw
overboard
the
great
mystery
that
was
coiled
up
within
her,
and
to
cast
her
burden
on
the
sea.
The
electricians,
too,
were
elated,
and
with
reason,
at
the
perfection
of
the
cable
as
demonstrated
by
every
hour's
experience.
At
intervals
of
thirty
minutes,
day
and
night,
tests
were
passed
from
ship
to
shore,
and
to
the
delight
of
all,
instead
of
finding
the
insulation
weakened,
it
steadily
improved
as
the
cable
was
brought
into
contact
with
the
cold
depths
of
the
Atlantic.
All
now
went
well
till
Saturday,
the
twenty-ninth,
when
a
little
after
noon
there
was
again
a
cry
from
the
ship,
as
if
once
more
the
cable
were
wounded
and
in
pain.
This
time
the
fault
was
more
serious
than
before.
The
electricians
looked
very
grave,
for
they
had
struck
"dead
earth,"
that
is,
the
insulation
was
completely
destroyed,
and
the
electric
current
was
escaping
into
the
sea.
As
the
fault
had
gone
overboard,
it
was
necessary
to
reverse
their
course,
and
haul
in
till
the
defective
part
was
brought
up
from
the
bottom.
This
time
it
was
more
difficult,
for
they
were
in
water
two
miles
deep.
Still
the
cable
yielded
slowly
to
the
iron
hands
that
drew
it
upward;
and
after
working
all
the
afternoon,
about
ten
o'clock
at
night
they
got
the
fault
on
board.
The
wounded
limb
was
at
once
amputated,
and
joining
the
parts
that
were
whole,
the
cable
was
made
new
and
strong
again.
Thus
ended
a
day
of
anxiety.
The
next
morning,
which
was
the
second
Sabbath
at
sea,
was
welcomed
with
a
grateful
feeling
after
the
suspense
of
the
last
twenty-four
hours.
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