Lab
Library
Journal
Shop
Sign in
to keep
1
378
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
·
Henry M. Field
48
This
loss
was
owing
partly
to
the
severity
of
the
gale,
and
partly
to
the
fact
that
the
bark
which
had
the
cable
on
board
was
wholly
unfitted
for
the
purpose.
It
was
a
sailing-vessel,
and
had
to
be
towed
by
another
ship.
In
this
way
it
was
impossible
to
regulate
its
motion.
It
was
too
fast
or
too
slow.
It
was
liable
to
be
swayed
by
the
sea,
now
giving
a
lurch
ahead,
and
now
dragging
behind.
Experience
showed
that
a
cable
should
always
be
laid
from
a
steam
vessel
which
could
regulate
its
own
motion,
running
out
freely
when
all
went
smoothly,
and
checking
its
speed
instantly
when
it
was
necessary
to
ease
up
the
strain,
or
to
pay
out
more
slack
to
fill
up
the
hollows
of
the
sea.
This
first
loss
of
a
submarine
cable
was
a
severe
disappointment
to
the
Company.
It
postponed
the
enterprise
for
a
whole
year.
To
make
a
new
cable
would
require
several
months,
and
the
season
was
so
far
advanced
that
it
could
not
be
laid
before
another
summer.
Was
it
strange
if
some
of
the
little
band
began
to
ask
if
they
had
not
lost
enough,
and
to
reason
that
it
was
better
to
stop
where
they
were,
than
to
go
on
still
farther,
casting
their
treasures
into
the
sea?
But
there
was
in
that
little
company
a
spirit
of
hope
and
determination
that
could
not
be
subdued;
that
ever
cried:
"Once
more
unto
the
breach,
good
friends!"
After
some
deliberation,
it
was
resolved
to
renew
the
attempt.
Mr.
Field
again
sailed
for
England
to
order
another
cable,
which
was
duly
made
and
sent
out
the
following
summer.
This
time,
warned
by
experience,
the
Company
invited
no
party
and
made
no
display.
The
cable
was
placed
on
board
a
steamer
fitted
for
the
purpose;
from
which
it
was
laid
without
accident,
and
remained
in
perfect
working
order
for
nine
years.
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
