| Date| | | |
No.| when| From | To | A | B
|Laid.| | | |
---+-----+-------------------+---------------+---+--------
| | | | |
1| 1851| Dover | Calais | 4 | 27
| | | | |
2| 1853| {Denmark, across} | | 3 | 18
| | { the Belt } | | |
3| 1853| Dover | Ostend | 6 | 80½
| | | | |
4| 1853| Frith of Forth | | 4 | 6
5| 1853| Portpatrick | Donaghadee | 6 | 25
6| 1853| Across River Tay | | 4 | 2
7| 1854| Portpatrick | Whitehead | 6 | 27
8| 1854| Sweden | Denmark | 3 | 12
9| 1854| Italy | Corsica | 6 | 110
10| 1854| Corsica | Sardinia | 6 | 10
11| 1855| Egypt | | 4 | 10
12| 1855| Italy |Sicily | 3 | 5
13| 1856| Newfoundland | Cape Breton | 1 | 85
14| 1856| {Prince Edward’s |} New } | 1 | 12
| | { Island |} Brunswick} | |
| | | | |
15| 1856| Straight of Canso.| {Cape Breton,}| 3 | 1½
| | | { N.S. }| |
16| 1857| Norway . across Fiords | 1 | 49
17| 1857| {Across mouths |} | 1 | 3
| | { of Danube |} | |
18| 1857| Ceylon | {Mainland } | 1 | 30
| | | { of India} | |
19| 1858| Italy | Sicily | 1 | 8
20| 1858| England | Holland | 4 | 140
21| 1858| Ditto | Hanover | 2 | 280
22| 1858| Norway across | Fiords | 1 | 16
23| 1858| South Australia | King’s Island | 1 | 140
24| 1858| Ceylon | India | 1 | 30
25| 1859| Alexandria | | 4 | 2
26| 1859| England | Denmark | 3 | 368
27| 1859| Sweden | Gotland | 1 | 61
28| 1859| Folkestone | Boulogne | 6 | 24
29| 1859| {Across rivers} | | 1 | 10
| | { in India } | | |
30| 1859| Malta | Sicily | 1 | 60
31| 1859| England | Isle of Man | 1 | 36
32| 1859| Suez | Jubal Island | 1 | 220
33| 1859| Jersey | Pirou, France | 1 | 21
34| 1859| Tasmania | Bass Straits | 1 | 240
| | | {(Great Belt)}| |
35| 1860| Denmark | { (14 miles }| 6)| 28
| | | { (14 miles }| 3)|
36| 1860| Dacca | Pegu | 1 | 116
37| 1860| Barcelona | Mahon | 1 | 180
38| 1860| Minorca | Majorca | 2 | 35
39| 1860| Iviza | Majorca | 2 | 74
40| 1860| St. Antonio | Iviza | 2 | 76
41| 1861| Norway across | Fiords | 1 | 16
42| 1861| Toulon | Corsica | 1 | 195
43| 1861| Holyhead | Howth, Ireland| 1 | 64
44| 1861| Malta | Alexandria | 1 | 1535
45| 1861| Newhaven | Dieppe | 4 | 80
46| 1862| Pembroke | Wexford | 4 | 63
| | | | |
47| 1862| {Frith of} | | 4 | 6
| | { Forth } | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
48| 1862| England | Holland | 4 | 130
| | | | |
49| 1862| {Across } | | 4 | 2
| | { River } | | |
| | { Tay } | | |
| | | | |
50| 1863| Sardinia | Sicily | 1 | 243
| | | | |
51| 1864| {Persian } | | 1 | 1450
| | { Gulf } | | |
| | | | |
52| 1864| Otranto | Avlona | 1 | 60
53| 1865| La Calle | Biserte | 1 | 97¼
54| 1865| Sweden | Prussia | 3 | 55
55| 1865| Biserte | Marsala | 1 | 164¾
---+-----+-------------------+---------------+---+--------
Column Headings:
C: Length of Insulated Wire in Statute Miles.
D: Depth of Water in Fathoms.
E: Length of time the Cables have been working.
---+---------+-----+-------------------------+--------
| | | |
No.| C | D | By whom Covered | E
| | | and Laid. |
---+---------+-----+-------------------------+--------
| | | {Wilkins & Wetherley, }|
1| 108 | . | {Newall & Co., Küper & }| 14 year
| | | {Co., and Mr. Crampton.}|
2| 54 | . | R. S. Newall & Co. | 12 “
| | | |
3| 483 | . | {Newall & Co., and} | 12 “
| | | { Küper & Co. } |
4| 24 | . | R. S. Newall & Co. | 12 “
5| 150 | . | “ “ | 12 “
6| 8 | . | “ “ | 12 “
7| 162 | . | “ “ | 11 “
8| 36 | 14| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 11 “
9| 660 | 325| “ “ | 11 “
10| 60 | 20| “ “ | 11 “
11| 40 | . | “ “ | 10 “
12| 15 | 27| “ “ | 10 “
13| 85 | 360| “ “ | 9 “
14| 12 | 14| “ “ | 9 “
| | | |
| | | |
15| 4½ | . | {Nova Scotia Electric} | 9 “
| | | { Telegraph Co. } |
16| 49 | 300| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 8 “
17| 3 | . | “ “ | 0 “
| | | |
18| 30 | . | “ “ | 0 “
| | | |
19| 8 | 60| “ “ | 7 “
20| 560 | 30| “ “ | 7 “
21| 560 | 30| “ “ | 7 “
22| 16 | 300| “ “ | 7 “
23| 140 | 45| W. T. Henley | 7 “
24| 30 | 45| “ “ | 7 “
25| 8 | . | Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 6 “
26| 1104 | 30| “ “ | 6 “
27| 64 | 80| “ “ | 6 “
28| 144 | 32| “ “ | 6 “
29| 10 | . | “ “ | 6 “
| | | |
30| 60 | 79| “ “ | 6 “
31| 36 | 30| “ “ | 6 “
32| 220 | . | R. S. Newall & Co. | 6 “
33| 21 | 15| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 5 “
34| 240 | . | W. T. Henley | 5 “
| | | |
35| 126 | 18| “ “ | 5 “
| | | |
36| 116 | . | “ “ | 5 “
37| 180 | 1400| “ “ | 5 “
38| 70 | 250| “ “ | 5 “
39| 148 | 500| “ “ | 5 “
40| 152 | 450| “ “ | 5 “
41| 16 | 300| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 4 “
42| 195 | 1550| “ “ | 4 “
43| 64 | . | {Electric & Interna-} | 4 “
| | | { tional Tel. Co. } |
44| 1535 | 420| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 3½ years
45| 320 | | W. T. Henley, _laid_ | 4 “
46| 252 | 58| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 3¼ “
| | | |
47| 24 | | {Electric & } | 3 “
| | | { International } |
| | | { Tel. Co. } |
| | | |
48| 520 | 30| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 2¾ “
| | | |
49| 8 | | {Electric & } | 3 “
| | | { International } |
| | | { Tel. Co. } |
| | | |
50| 243 | 1200| Glass, Elliot, & Co. | 2 “
| | | |
51| 1450 | 120| {W. T. Henley and } | 1 year
| | | { Indian Government} |
| | | |
52| 60 | 569| W. T. Henley | 9 mths.
53| 97¼ | | Siemens Brothers | 3 “
54| 166 | | W. T. Henley | 1 month
55| 164¾ | | Siemens Brothers | 1 “
--+---------+-----+-------------------------+----------
A great many Cables of short lengths, not included in this list, are now
at work in various parts of the world; and other Cables, the Wires
insulated by the Gutta Percha Company, have been laid by Messrs. Felten
& Guilleaume, of Cologne, during the last eight years, amounting to over
1000 miles, and which are now in working order.
G.
ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
Report of the Directors to the Extraordinary General Meeting of
Shareholders, held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on
Thursday, the 14th day of September, 1865.
12, St. Helen’s Place, London,
_13th September, 1865_.
The sensation immediately consequent upon the recent accident to the
Atlantic Telegraph Cable was one of profound disappointment, but this
has to a great extent disappeared before the important and encouraging
facts which were found to have been brought to light and practice during
the expedition.
Not only has the future permanence of Deep-sea Cables been much enhanced
by the greater convenience and safety with which they can be coiled and
tested and payed-out since the Great Eastern has shown herself so well
adapted to the work, but it has now also been proved absolutely that in
the event of injury to the insulation, even after submersion, and while
sunk in the deepest water, electricians are enabled with ease to
calculate minutely the exact distance of the injured spot from ship or
shore in a Cable 2,300 miles long.
It has further been proved that many miles of a Cable like that selected
by the Atlantic Telegraph Company can, if so injured, be hauled in and
repaired during the heaviest weather and from water 2000 fathoms in
depth: and still more that even when a Cable is absolutely fractured,
and the broken end lies at the bottom of an ocean 2000 fathoms deep, it
is perfectly possible to find it and to raise it, and equally possible,
according to the opinions of all those engaged in the recent expedition,
to bring up the end of the Atlantic Cable, which is in that situation,
and to splice it to the Cable on board the Great Eastern, so as to
complete the communication to Newfoundland, so soon as apparatus of
suitable strength and convenience can be manufactured.
In fact, so important have been the results of the last expedition in
moderating every element of risk attendant on these undertakings, that
the successful Submersion of submarine Cables will henceforward take its
place as an event insurable for a moderate premium by the Underwriters.
The Directors, after careful investigation, therefore have determined
not to relax in striving to bring to a successful issue the great work
entrusted to their charge, but to press forward in the path of
experience with increased vigilance and perseverance.
They have been encouraged in this view by the fair manner in which they
have been met by the Contractors, with whom they have already entered
into a contract for renewed operations.
Under this contract the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company
undertake for the sum of 500,000_l._, which has been agreed on as the
cost price, at once to commence the manufacture of and during 1866 to
lay down, a new Cable between Ireland and Newfoundland.
The Contractors, if the said Cable be successful, but not otherwise, are
to have, in shares and cash, a profit at the rate of 20 per cent. upon
such cost.
The Contractors also undertake, without any further charge whatever, to
go to sea with sufficient Cable, including that now left on board the
Great Eastern, and all proper appliances and apparatus such as
experience has shown to be necessary, and to use their best
endeavours--in the success of which they entirely believe--to recover
and repair and complete in working order between Ireland and
Newfoundland, the present broken Cable.
It will be seen that circumstances have thus enabled the Board to effect
a very considerable economy in the Company’s present operations.
It would no doubt have been a most gratifying circumstance if the recent
accidents had not happened, and to the Directors this occurrence has
been a grievous disappointment, but the circumstances surrounding the
expedition and the increased confidence which, in spite of temporary
discomfiture, has been given to the future of Deep-sea Cables, has
enabled the Board to effect a new contract for the repair of the old
Cable and for the submersion of a new one during 1866, on terms so
satisfactory that if both these operations should succeed, the Company
will actually be in possession of two efficient Cables for a less amount
by 100,000_l._ than they would have been obliged to expend if the Cable
of this year had been successful and the second Cable had been required
to be purchased separately.
But the carrying out of this contract, so advantageous to the Atlantic
Telegraph Company, involves the strenuous efforts of the Directors to
raise an amount of money ranging from a minimum of 250,000_l._ to a
maximum of 500,000_l._ in cash.
It is impossible that the Great Eastern ship could go to sea again this
year to mend the existing Cable, and therefore such an operation, as a
separate adventure, must be put out of the question, and even if
undertaken separately would in itself involve an expenditure of some
120,000_l._, whereas for a sum of 500,000_l._ the Contractors are
willing to make and lay a new Cable next year in addition to the
restoration of the old one; they depending entirely upon success for
profit.
The question which has had to be considered by the Directors in the
interest of the Shareholders has been how best they might be enabled to
raise this money.
The Eight per Cent. Preference Shares, though far below their real
value, stand at 2_l._ 5_s._ per share, and if the Company were to adopt
the alternative of winding-up its affairs, their intrinsic worth would
not be 10_s._ per share.
The expenditure of the new money will certainly create fresh property,
and probably resuscitate the old.
By its means the existing Eight per Cent. Preference Stock will
doubtless be placed at par in the market before the sailing of the ship
next year.
The Directors are, however, compelled to offer an inducement to those
who are willing to come in and assist to place in that position the
Company’s, at present, sinking property.
Acting under advice, and believing in the very large profits that
undoubtedly await this Company when successful, they desire to offer a
first dividend of 12 per cent., with participation in profits, after 8
per cent. has been paid upon the existing preference shares and 4 per
cent. upon the old capital, to those who consent to supply the requisite
funds.
The Shareholders will have the opportunity of subscribing for this new
Preferential Stock, which is issued solely to protect their property.
Those proprietors who subscribe to it are manifestly not injured in any
way, as they absorb the whole profits of the Company. Those who do not
subscribe pay in effect a small premium to the subscriber who comes
forward to help them. It is considered by the Board that this is
infinitely preferable to winding-up the Company, whereby the
Shareholders would have the mortification of seeing the whole of their
property sacrificed, and of seeing an undertaking pass out of their
hands, when on the very eve of success, upon which so much attention has
been bestowed, and so much experience gained by the expenditure of their
own funds.
Such a sacrifice is totally unnecessary, for it can be ascertained by
any one who will take the trouble to make a small calculation, that if
each of the two proposed Cables can be worked at the very low rate of
only five words per minute upon each Cable for sixteen hours a day at
five shillings per word, which is believed to be a much lower rate than
the pressure of business would admit of in the first instance, the
traffic, after paying the dividend charges of 12, 8, and 4 per cent.
respectively, amounting together to 144,000_l._ upon the capital
comprised in those different stocks, and after adding thereto the very
large sum of 50,000_l._ a-year for working expenses, would leave an
enormous balance for paying further dividends or bonuses on the
Company’s total capital, both ordinary and preferential.
BRADBURY, EVANS, AND CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.
* * * * *
Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
in which occurs the following passages=> in which occur the following
passages {pg 7}
eight-eight in the United States=> eighty-eight in the United States {pg
11}
assumed tempeatures=> assumed temperatures {pg}
there, standing blank and mute=> There, standing blank and mute {pg 94}
S. CANNNNG.=> S. CANNNG. {pg 111}
Kuper=> Küper
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES:
[1] “From Cape Freels, Newfoundland, to Erris Head, Ireland, the
distance is 1,611 miles; from Cape Charles, or Cape St. Lewis, Labrador,
to ditto, the distance is 1,601 miles.”
[2] Short-lived as was the former Cable, it had survived long enough to
prove its value in a financial point of view. Amongst 400 messages which
it had transmitted, was one that had been dispatched from London in the
morning and reached Halifax the same day, directing “that the 62nd
Regiment were not to return to England.” This timely warning saved the
country an expenditure of 50,000_l._
[3] Communicated to the _Mechanics’ Magazine_.
[4] It may here be stated that Admiral Talbot, in command at the Nore,
gave every aid to the undertaking; and that Captain Hall, of the
Sheerness Dockyard, was indefatigable and most serviceable in forwarding
the work whilst the Great Eastern lay in the Medway and at the Nore.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Atlantic Telegraph, by William Howard Russell