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378
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
·
Henry M. Field
260
This
new
fault,
though
it
was
annoying,
did
not
create
alarm,
for
they
had
been
accustomed
to
such
things,
and
regarded
them
only
as
the
natural
incidents
of
the
voyage.
Had
the
apparatus
for
pulling
in
been
complete,
it
could
not
have
delayed
them
more
than
a
few
hours.
But
this
had
been
the
weak
point
of
the
arrangements
from
the
beginning--the
bete
noire
of
the
expedition.
The
only
motive
power
was
a
little
donkey
engine,
(rightly
named,)
which
puffed
and
wheezed
as
if
it
had
the
asthma.
This
was
now
put
in
requisition,
but
soon
gave
out
for
want
of
more
steam.
While
waiting
for
this
a
breeze
sprang
up,
which
caused
the
Great
Eastern
to
drift
over
the
cable,
by
which
it
was
badly
chafed,
so
that
when
it
was
hauled
in,
as
the
injured
part
was
coming
over
the
bows
and
was
almost
within
grasp,
suddenly
it
broke
and
plunged
into
the
sea!
It
came
without
a
moment's
warning.
So
unexpected
was
such
a
catastrophe,
that
the
gentlemen
had
gone
down
to
lunch,
as
it
was
a
little
past
the
hour
of
noon.
But
Mr.
Canning
and
Mr.
Field
stood
watching
the
cable
as
it
was
straining
upward
from
the
sea,
and
saw
the
snapping
of
that
cord,
which
broke
so
many
hopes.
The
impression
may
be
better
imagined
than
described.
Says
a
writer
on
board:
"Suddenly
Mr.
Canning
appeared
in
the
saloon,
and
in
a
manner
which
caused
every
one
to
start
in
his
seat,
said,
'It
is
all
over!
It
is
gone!'
then
hastened
onward
to
his
cabin.
Ere
the
thrill
of
surprise
and
pain
occasioned
by
these
words
had
passed
away,
Mr.
Field
came
from
the
companion
into
the
saloon,
and
said,
with
composure
admirable
under
the
circumstances,
though
his
lip
quivered
and
his
cheek
was
blanched,
'The
cable
has
parted
and
has
gone
overboard.'
All
were
on
deck
in
a
moment,
and
there,
indeed,
a
glance
revealed
the
truth."
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