There are few people living who have not heard of Cyrus W. Field. Few
people, however, have taken the trouble to learn more of him other than
the fact that to him are we indebted for the Atlantic Cable, and THIS
information has been forced upon them.
One often hears the old saying, "blood tells," and when we review the
Field family we are constrained to admit its truth. David Dudly Field,
Sr., the father, was a noted Divine. He had a family of seven sons, the
oldest of which, David Dudly, Jr., is a most conspicuous lawyer. Stephen
Johnson, has held some of the most exalted positions as a jurist within
the gift of the nation and his adopted State, California. Henry Martyn,
is a renowned editor and Doctor of Divinity. Matthew D. is an expert
engineer, and in this capacity did much to aid the success of the cable
which has made famous for all time the subject of this narrative.
Matthew is also a somewhat noted and successful politician. Another
brother, Timothy, entered the navy, and we doubt not would have become
equally distinguished but for his untimely death. Cyrus West, was born
at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 30th, 1819. Unlike the
Appletons, Harpers and numerous other noted families, the Fields seemed
to discard the idea "in union is there strength," each selecting his own
calling, to become individually singled out and honored.
As heretofore shown, almost the entire Field family have made history,
but upon Cyrus does the world bestow the greatest distinction. He was
the only brother choosing a mercantile life, and at the age of fifteen,
nearly sixteen, he was apprenticed to the great A. T. Stewart. After his
apprenticeship he returned to Massachusetts and started a small
paper-mill, and still later came to New York again, this time to open a
paper warehouse, but for some reason failed. One feature of the great
success which has attended Mr. Field was his stick-to-it-iveness which
enabled him to 'fight it out on that line if it took all summer.' He
accordingly compromised the matter with his creditors, re-established
the business, profited by his past mistakes, and in the course of eleven
or twelve years had amassed an ample fortune. Accordingly, about 1853,
he decided to retire, and spent six months traveling in South America,
not, however, until he had enclosed a check to each of his old
creditors, thereby discharging a moral obligation, although not legally
bound.
In the meantime, a Mr. Gibson had enlisted the sympathy of his brother
Matthew, the engineer, in a transatlantic telegraph company, which was
to be carried on by a co-operation of the telegraph, and a system of
fast ocean steamers. Although adverse to all thought of resuming _any_
business this brother obtained for Mr. Gibson an audience, and he
presented to Mr. Field his scheme which involved a telegraphic
communication between New York and St. John; hence, by fast ocean
steamers, Mr. Gibson left without gaining his object, but upon
reflection Mr. Field suddenly exclaimed: "Why not run a wire through the
ocean itself, instead of ending it at St. John?" Although it is claimed
that Field had never heard of such an idea, yet it did not originate
with him. In fact, a cable was then in operation between Dover and
Calais, connecting England and France. Having become imbued with this
plan he at once consulted his brother David as to what legal obstacles
might possibly arise, and being satisfied on that score, he set about
the accomplishment of his purpose.
He saw Peter Cooper and several other moneyed men and solicited their
aid, forming a company, with Peter Cooper as president. Matthew was now
interested as chief engineer, and David as counsel. These will be
remembered as two of the famous brothers. The burden of the work,
however, fell upon our hero. He seemed to be everywhere. First in
Newfoundland, where he bought the rights of a rival company then before
the Provincial Government, where his influence secured the consent of
the legislature of Newfoundland. Then he is over in England, where he is
successful in not only securing the necessary rights and privileges to
occupy British territory, but the special favor of the Queen and the
capital stock of about $1,680,000, which it was hoped could be placed in
England, was taken in a few weeks, and not only this but the British
government agreed to pay an annual subsidy of about $68,000, for the use
of the cable by that government and ships, not only for surveying but to
help lay the cable.
Mr. Field now ordered the cable made, and again set sail for America,
and is soon at the national capitol trying to enlist the sympathy and
aid of our country. The lobby and other influences seemed to be against
him, and he met with the cold shoulder at every turn, but nothing
dismayed this man. At last the bill passed the Senate by the majority of
but one vote, and in the Lower House by an absolutely small majority,
but after a hard fight it became a fixed thing, and received the
signature of President Buchanan.
Reader, look back upon the trials of Cyrus Field as you have followed
them thus far; imagine if you can the trouble, vexation and
disappointments which have thus far attended him, and when you think
that he had all this trouble to get PERMISSION to lay the cable, and
that while he had already passed through much; yet his disappointments
were destined to be tenfold greater ere success attended him; will you
say he is undeserving of that success? The rights are secure; the stock
taken; the cable is done and all seems fair sailing.
The Agamemnon of the Royal Mary and the Niagara, furnished by the United
States government, started with their precious burden. The paying out
machine kept up its steady revolutions. Slowly, but surely, the cable
slips over the side and into the briny deep. Many eminent men were
eagerly watching with Mr. Field on the Niagara; a gradual solemnity took
possession of the entire ship's company. Who would not be interested?
Who would not feel the powerful pressure of responsibility, and when at
last the too sudden application of a break parted the cable, and it
wholly disappeared from view, the shock was too much for the stoutest
nerves. All appeared to feel that a dear friend had just slipped the
cable of life, and had gone to make his grave beneath the deep waters.
But of all that sad company, Mr. Field is the least dismayed. He
recognized that a most expensive and disastrous accident had happened;
but the belief was firmly fixed in his mind that the plan was
practicable. He was now offered the position of General Manager, at a
salary of $5,000 per year. The position he accepted, but declined the
salary.
In 1858 the second attempt was begun, but when about two hundred miles
had been laid, the cable parted, and the result of months of labor and
large capital was remorsefully swallowed up by the mighty deep. But
while all seemed ready to give up, Cyrus Field seemed to be everywhere.
His activity seemed to exceed the bounds of human endurance. Many were
the successive twenty-four hours in which he had no sleep, and his
friends were alarmed lest he and the new enterprise should break
together.
By his assiduousness the work was recommenced this same year, and on the
5th of August, 1858, was completed. Messages were exchanged between
Queen Victoria and President Buchanan, and for about a month the cable
worked perfectly, amid great rejoicing, when all at once it stopped; the
cable refused to respond. Few thought the project would be prosecuted
further, but they miscalculated the power of endurance, the possession
of which has brought the success of that man whom they now envy,
"because fortune has smiled upon him more especially than them."
How often do we find ourselves wishing we were as rich as some person,
or as influential as another; when we have but to follow their example,
do as they have done, endure what they have endured to acquire the
coveted success.
If we would stop to consider that seventy-three per cent. of our great
men were poor boys, we would readily see that those we now envy are only
enjoying the fruit of their own toil.
The civil war broke out and all work was suspended, but in 1863 a new
cable was ordered of Gloss, Elliot & Company in London, and a capital of
$3,000,000 was raised by the indomitable energy of Mr. Field. The Great
Eastern was employed to lay it, and on the 23rd day of July, 1865, that
leviathan of the deep, started on her momentous journey, successfully
traversing about three-fourths of the entire distance, when the cable
once more parted, carrying with it to the bottom of the ocean every fond
hope cherished by so many. But once more arose Cyrus West Field, and an
entirely new company is formed, and $3,000,000 more is raised. On
Friday, July 13th, 1866, the Great Eastern once more starts, and on
Friday, the 27th of July, the following cablegram is received.
"HEARTS CONTENT, July 27th.
"We arrived here at nine o'clock this morning. All well, thank God.
The Cable is laid, and is in perfect working order.
"Signed,
CYRUS W. FIELD."
To make the victory more complete, the Great Eastern again put to sea,
raised the cable which was lost the preceding year, spliced it, and the
two have since been in constant use.
Who dares deny that Cyrus W. Field is not deserving of enduring fame?
For thirteen years he had borne the brunt of all the ridicule and sneers
directed at this greatest enterprise of modern history. He has been
bitterly denounced by many as a capitalist, a monopolist, and the like;
but if the world has been benefited so many millions by the Ocean
Telegraph, it seems to us that the BEST is inadequate as a reward to its
proprietor.