Part 7

When the excitement caused by the landing of the Cable was abated, the Knight of Kerry was called on to speak to the people assembled outside the Instrument Room, and said:--“I feel that in the presence of so many who have taken an active and a useful part in this undertaking, it may seem almost presumptuous in me to open my mouth on this occasion; but from the very beginning I have felt an interest which I am sure the humblest person here has also felt in the success of this the greatest undertaking of modern times. I believe there never has been an undertaking in which, not to speak disparagingly of the commercial spirit and the great resources and strength of the land, that valuable spirit has been mixed up with so much that is of a higher nature, combining all the most noble sentiments of our minds, and the feelings intended for the most beneficial purpose, which are calculated to cement one great universe, I may say, with another. I do not think we should be quite silent when such an undertaking has been inaugurated. It has been discussed whether this ceremony should be opened with a prayer or not. Whether that shall be done or not, I am sure there is not a person present who does not feel the utmost thankfulness to the Giver of all Good for having enabled those who have taken an active part in it to bring this great undertaking to what I am sure will have a happy issue. I do not think anything could be fitly added to the sentiment of the first message which was conveyed, namely--‘Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.’ I shall not detain you with another word, but will only ask you all to give the heartiest cheers for the success of the undertaking. I will also take the liberty of asking you, when you have done that, to give three cheers for a gentleman who has come here at great inconvenience, and has done us very great honour in doing so, and who deserves them, not only from his position and character, but also from the interest which he has always shown in this undertaking. I call upon you to give three hearty cheers for Sir Robert Peel.”

The meeting responded very heartily to the call, and when silence was restored, Sir Robert Peel said: “Gentlemen, as the Knight of Kerry has well observed, this is one of the most important works that this country could have been engaged in, inasmuch as it tends to draw us together in a link of amity and friendship with a mighty continent on the other side of the Atlantic. I trust, as the Knight of Kerry has so justly observed, that it may tend not only to promote the peace and commerce of the world, but that it may also lead to a union of feeling and to good fellowship between those two great countries; and I trust that as it has been so happily inaugurated to-day, so it may be successful under the exertions of those who have taken part in it to-day and for some time past. Gentlemen, I think the progress of this undertaking deserves that we should pay the highest compliment to those who have been actively engaged in carrying it out to the stage at which it has arrived. We are about to lay down, at the very bottom of the mighty Atlantic, which beats against your shores with everlasting pulsations, this silver-toned zone, to join the United Kingdom and America. Along that silver-toned zone, I trust, may pass words which will tend to promote the commerce and the interest of the two countries; and I am sure we will offer up prayers for the success of an undertaking, to the accomplishment of which persevering industry and all the mechanical skill of the age have been brought to bear. Nothing has been wanting in human skill, and therefore for the future, as now, let us trust the hand of Divine Providence will be upon it; and that as the great vessel is about to steam across the Atlantic no mishaps or misfortune may occur to imperil or obstruct the success of the work which has now been so happily commenced. I ask you all to give a cheer in honour of my noble friend here, the Knight of Kerry, who has just begun the work.”

The demand was enthusiastically complied with, for the Knight is an immense favourite with all the dwellers in his little dominion.

Sir Robert Peel then said: “Now, gentlemen, probably one of the first messages that will be sent by this Cable will be a communication from the Sovereign of this great country to the great ruler of the mighty continent at the other side of the Atlantic. I will ask you to give three cheers for her Majesty the Queen.” (Cheers.) Sir Robert Peel in conclusion, said: “I give you, with hearty good will, health and happiness to the ruler of the United States, President Johnson.” (The toast was received with loud cheers.)

Mr. Glass, who was called on to acknowledge the hearty reception given to his name and the Company’s, said: “On behalf of myself and those connected with me in this undertaking, I beg to return you thanks. I am glad that our labours have been appreciated by those around us. I assure you that the work that has been so far completed has been a source of great anxiety to us all; but that anxiety has been relieved very much by the fact that we have now landed a Cable which we one and all believe to be perfect. I believe that nothing can interfere with the successful laying of the Cable but the hand of the Almighty, who rules the winds and waves. So far as human skill has gone, I believe we have produced all that can be desired. We now offer up our prayers to the Almighty that He will grant success to our undertaking.”

The Doxology was then sung, with which this part of the proceedings closed, and the electricians busied themselves with securing the shore end confided to their charge in its new home.

At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the Caroline, towed by the Hawk, and attended by the Princess Alexandra and Advice, proceeded to sea, veering out the shore end of the Cable in the channel marked by Lieutenant White, and at 10·30 p.m. buoyed the end 26 miles W.N.W. of Valentia, in 75 fathoms of water. A message was sent through the Cable to Foilhummerum, and a dispatch was forwarded to the Great Eastern, in Bantry Bay, to come round with all speed. This order was obeyed with such diligence that her appearance off the harbour of Valentia was reported in Knightstown soon after 7 o’clock next morning, July 23. H.M.S. Terrible and H.M.S. Sphinx were in company. The Hawk, which returned from the Caroline in the course of the night, got up steam and left Valentia Harbour about 10 o’clock a.m., July 23, with a party of visitors and passengers for the Great Eastern, among the former being Sir R. Peel, the Knight of Kerry, and Captain Lord John Hay. By 3 p.m. the Hawk had reached the flotilla, which lay around the buoy, preparing for the great enterprise. She was just in time; the end of the shore Cable was about to be spliced and joined with the landward end of the main Cable from the after tank of the Great Eastern, and the boats of the Great Ship and of the two men-of-war, were engaged in carrying the end of the main Cable to the Caroline. Sir R. Peel, the Knight of Kerry, Lord John Hay, Mr. Canning, and others, got on board the Great Eastern in successive trips of the Hawk’s boats; but the ladies, who had come so far and had suffered too in order to see the famous vessel, could not venture, as there was a swell on which made it difficult to embark or approach the gangway ladders. After an hour’s enjoyment of the almost terrestrial steadiness of the Great Eastern, the visitors departed, amid loud cheers, to the Hawk, and at 5·10 p.m. it was reported by the electricians that the tests of the splice between the main Cable and the shore end were complete, and that the shore end was much improved in its electrical condition by its immersion in the water. The boats were hoisted in by the men-of-war and by the Great Eastern, adieux and good wishes were exchanged, and, with hearts full of confidence, all on board set about the work before them.

The bight of the Cable was slipped from the Caroline, at 7·15 p.m., and the Great Eastern stood slowly on her course N.W.¼W. Then the Terrible and Sphinx, which had ranged up alongside, and sent their crews into the shrouds and up to the tops to give her a parting cheer, delivered their friendly broadsides with vigour, and received a similar greeting. Their colours were hauled down, and as the sun set a broad stream of golden light was thrown across the smooth billows towards their bows as if to indicate and illumine the path marked out by the hand of Heaven. The brake was eased, and as the Great Eastern moved ahead the machinery of the paying-out apparatus began to work, drums rolled, wheels whirled, and out spun the black line of the Cable, and dropped in a graceful curve into the sea over the stern wheel. The Cable came up with ease from the after tank, and was payed-out with the utmost regularity from the apparatus. The system of signals to and from the ship was at once in play between the electricians on board and those at Foilhummerum. On board there were two representative bodies--the electricians of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, under M. de Sauty, and the electricians of the Atlantic Telegraph Company, Mr. Varley, Professor Thomson, and assistants. The former were to test the electrical state of the Cable as it was being payed-out, and to keep up signals between the ship and the shore. The latter, who had no power of interference or control, were simply to report on the testing, and to certify, on their arrival in Newfoundland, whether the Cable fulfilled the conditions specified in the contract. The mechanical arrangements for paying-out the cable were in charge of Mr. Canning, engineer-in-chief to the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, who might be considered as having supreme control over the ship _ad hoc._ In the space on deck between the captain’s state-room and the entrance to the grand saloon, was the Testing-Room--a darkened chamber, into which were led conducting wires from the ends of the Cable, for the ordeal to which they were subjected by the electricians, at a table whereon were placed galvanometers and insulation and resistance-testing machines.

The instructions for signalling, determined upon by the electricians of the Telegraphic Construction and Maintenance Company, were as follows:--

1. During the paying-out of the Cable, from the moment of starting until the end is landed at Newfoundland, electrical tests will be applied without intermission.

2. The tests will be for insulation, for continuity, and to determine the resistance of the conductor, the whole length of Cable being joined up in one length.

3. Each series of tests will commence at the hour (Greenwich time), and will last one hour.

4. The insulation test will consist of 30 minutes’ electrification of the Cable, commencing at the hour, and lasting till 30 minutes past the hour. Readings of the galvanometer to be taken every minute, commencing one minute after contact with the battery, the battery to consist of 40 cells.

5. At 30 minutes past the hour signals will be received from the shore for 10 minutes. Unless the ship wishes to communicate with shore by special speaking instruments, in which case, instead of receiving signals from the shore, ship will put on a C to E current to oppose deflection on shore. Galvanometer to arrest shore attention, and when joined, give the call as in paragraph 9: the ordinary signals will be 5 reversals of 2 minutes each.

6. At 40 minutes, C of Cable will be taken to 10 minutes.

7. At 50 minutes signals will be sent to the shore, and for the ordinary signals 5 reversals, 2 minutes each, commencing C to E.

8. Then a repetition of the same tests to be made and continued without any interval.

9. In case it becomes necessary to speak to shore by speaking instruments, the signal will be given at the 50 minutes, and at the 30 minutes, as in paragraph 5, by sending 8¼ minutes’ reversals, commencing Z to E, and changing over to the speaking instruments, on receiving acknowledgment of call from shore (which will be also 8¼ minutes’ reversals), communication or message to be sent, and when acknowledgment of message and reply (if any) is received, then the system of testing is to be resumed, as if no interruption had taken place.

10. Every 50 nauts. of Cable payed-out will be signalled at the same time (viz., at the 50 mins.), thus, instead of 5 reversals of 2 minutes, 10 reversals of 1 minute will be made commencing Z to E.

11. Every 50 nauts. distance run will be signalled to the shore; the signal will be 2 reversals (commencing Z to E), each 2 minutes’ duration--2 reversals, each 1 minute’s duration, and 2 reversals, each 2 minutes’ duration.

12. Should any defect in signals be perceived, or bad time kept, notice will be given to the shore by signalling at the 50 minutes--thus, by giving 2 reversals of 5 minutes’ duration, commencing Z to E.

13. In sounding, signal will be one current of 10 minutes’ duration, Z to E.

14. Land-in-sight signal will be likewise one current of 10 minutes’ duration, Z to E.

15. Greenwich time will be kept, but a column will be devoted in journals and sheets to ship’s time.

16. After the insulation test is taken, it is to be worked out thus--The same deflection at the 15th minute’s reading will be obtained with the same battery through resistance, and a shunt to the galvanometer. The amount of resistance multiplied by multiplying power of the shunt, and galvanometer multiplied by the length of the Cable, will give the G. p. R. pr. nt.

17. The copper resistance of the Cable will be taken after 5 minutes’ electrification.

18. No change in the instruments, wires, or connections (other than the batteries, if necessary), to be made on any account, unless such instruments, &c., become defective--any necessary change to be made as quickly as possible.

19. Should the rolling of the ship generate a magnetic current of sufficient strength to embarrass the signals, a stronger current for the signals will be put on on shore, and a shunt used with the galvanometer on board, notice to the shore to put on more power will be given by one current of 5 minutes, commencing Z to E, and 5 reversals of 1 minute’s duration.

20. The iron earth of the Cable will be used both on board and on shore--other earths, however, to be in readiness for use, if necessary.

21. Full particulars of every test and every occurrence in the testing-room to be entered in journal, together with the name of the electricians on duty, and the time of their coming on and going off duty.

22. After the end is landed, should signals fail, the paying-out system to be resumed until signals are re-established.

23. In case of a minute fault appearing, such as will partially affect the signalling, but which will not stop the communication entirely, notice will be given to shore to reduce battery power. Such notice will be given at the 50 minutes, by sending 5 reversals of 1 minute each, commencing Z to E, and 1 current of 5 minutes’ duration.

24. A proper supply of lamps, glasses, oil, and wicks; instrument ink and instrument paper, in sufficient quantities; paraffin, wicks, and spare lamp-glasses for the instrument lamps; lamp-brushes, tools, sulphate of copper, stationery, &c., to be always ready for use.

25. No person except those on duty, and the engineers and the officers authorised by the Atlantic Telegraph Company, to be allowed in the instrument room on any pretence.

26. The batteries to be kept in an efficient state, especially those for sending reversals--their force taken periodically, and if any variety occur, they must be renewed, or brought up to the original force.

27. Supplies of every material needful for such purpose to be in constant readiness.

28. The actual end of the Cable to be brought to the instrument tables, and well insulated.

SHIP’S SIGNALS.

29. Ordinary.--5 reversals, commencing C to E, each 2 minutes.

To open communication.--8 reversals, commencing Z to E, each ¼ minute.

50 nauts. payed out.--10 reversals, commencing Z to E, each 1 minute.

50 nauts. distance run, signal will be, 2 reversals, each 2 minutes, commencing Z to E.

“ “ “ 2 “ “ 1 “ “ “

“ “ “ 2 “ “ 2 “ “ “

Defective signals.--2 reversals, commencing Z to E, each 5 minutes.

In soundings.--1 current of 10 minutes, Z to E.

Land in sight.--1 “ “ “ “

Notice to increase power.--1 current of 5 minutes, commencing Z to E, and 5 reversals of 1 minute’s duration.

Notice to reduce power.--5 reversals of 1 minute, commencing Z to E, and 1 current of 5 minutes.

SHORE.

1. During the paying-out of the Cable, from the moment of starting until the end is landed at Newfoundland, a system of testing will be applied without intermission.

2. The tests will be for insulation, for continuity, and to determine the copper resistance of the conductor.

3. Each series of tests will commence at the hour (Greenwich time), and will last 1 hour. Both the insulation and C R tests will be made on board.

4. The insulation test will be made on board, and to enable that to be done, the end of the Cable must be insulated on shore for 30 minutes, commencing at the hour.

5. At the 30 minutes past the hour, signals will be sent to the ship for 10 minutes. Should ship at this time desire to open communication, ship will put on a current so as to oppose shore’s current on his galvanometer, to arrest shore’s attention, and will, when gained, give the call as in paragraph 10.

6. The ordinary signal will be 5 reversals of 2 minutes’ duration, commencing C to E.

7. At the 40 minutes, Cable to be put to earth direct, without any instrument being in circuit.

8. At the 50 minutes, signals will be received from the ship. The ordinary signal will be 5 reversals, each 2 minutes’ duration.

9. Then a repetition of the same series to be made and continued.

10. Should ship desire to open communication by special speaking instruments, notice will be received by a signal of 8 reversals (giving a deflection the opposite to the ordinary signals) of ¼ minute’s duration.

11. After returning the same signal to the ship as an acknowledgment, the speaking instruments to be put in circuit, and the message from the ship received, and when acknowledgment of message, or reply, is given, the regular system of signals to be resumed as if no interruption had occurred.

12. Every 50 nauts. of the Cable payed-out will be signalled to the shore by signal (instead of the ordinary signals). This signal will be 10 reversals of 1 minute each--the first current giving a deflection the opposite side to the first current of the ordinary signals.

13. Every 50 nauts. distance run will be signalled to the shore: the signal will be 2 reversals of 2 minutes’ duration, 2 reversals of 1 minute’s duration, and 2 reversals of 2 minutes’ duration--the first current giving a deflection opposite to the first deflection of the first current of the ordinary signal.

14. Should ship receive weak or defective signals, or bad time kept, notice will be given by sending 2 reversals of 5 minutes each, commencing the opposite side to the ordinary signals.

15. When the ship gets into soundings, notice will be given by sending one current of 10 minutes’ duration, the opposite side to the first current of the ordinary signals.

16. When land is in sight, notice will be given by the same signal.

17. Greenwich time to be kept, but a column to be devoted to local time in the journals and sheets.

18. No change in instruments, wires, or connections (other than the batteries, if necessary), to be made on any account, unless such instruments become defective, and any necessary change to be made as quickly as possible.

19. Should the rolling of the ship generate a magnetic current of sufficient strength to embarrass the signals, a stronger current for the signals must be put on by shore on receiving notice from the ship; the notice will be given by 1 current of 5 minutes’, and 5 reversals of 1 minute’s duration.

20. The iron earth of the Cable to be used both on board and on shore: copper earths, however, will be in readiness for use if necessary.

21. Full particulars of every occurrence in the testing-room will be entered in journals, together with the names of the electricians on duty, and the time of their coming on and going off duty.

22. When the end is landed at Newfoundland, should signals fail at any time, the paying-out system to be resumed until signals pass again freely.

23. On receiving a signal of 5 reversals of 1 minute’s, and a current of 5 minutes’ duration, shore must reduce the battery power used for sending reversals by one-half, and on a repetition of the same signal again reduce the power one-half, until (should notice continue to be given to that effect) the minimum of power be reached.

24. Shore must not have the privilege of opening a conversation, or to use or call for the use of the special speaking instruments, under any circumstances, except to give notice of any accident that may cause an interruption of signals, or that may affect the safety of the Cable or signals.

25. Should any interruption of signals from the ship occur by reason of an accident on board, shore will continue to free the Cable at the usual time, and to put to earth direct at the usual time, and in the intervals to put into circuit with the Cable a galvanometer, and watch the same for signals, and continue doing so until communication with the ship is restored, or information is received by other means from the ship.

26. On re-establishment of communication, shore must not ask any questions, but take the resumption of signals as an indication of all being well again, and will continue to follow the series of tests as if nothing had happened.

27. Shore will take time from the ship; should any irregularity in the reception of signals from the ship occur, such irregularity must be entered in journals, and must not form a ground for shore’s altering his time, but shore must follow blindly every change (should one take place), as if the most correct time had been kept.

28. A proper supply of lamps, glasses, oil, and wicks; instrument ink and instrument paper, in sufficient quantities; paraffin, wicks, and spare lamp-glasses for the instrument lamps; lamp-brushes, tools, sulphate of copper, stationery, &c., to be always ready for use.

29. No person, except those on duty, and the officers authorised by the Atlantic Telegraph Company, to be allowed in the instrument room on any pretence.