Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

EARLY ATLANTIC CABLES. 361 Fig. 5.—LANDING THE AMERICAN END OF THE CABLE. the cable. The spot selected as a landing- place was Bull Arm, at the head of Trinity Bay. It was soon reported that “ very strong currents of electricity had been re- ceived through the line from the other side of the Atlantic.” The telegraph house at the Newfoundland end was some two miles from the beach, and connected to the cable by a land line. Mr. Field, together with Mr. Bright’s assistant engineers, Messrs. Woodhouse and Everett, and the electricians, Messrs. De Sauty and Laws, received the heartiest con- gratulations from the Governor and Legis- lative Council of Newfoundland. Whilst acknowledging these congratulations, Mr. Field remarked : “ We have had many difficulties to surmount, many discouragements to bear, and some enemies to overcome, whose very opposition has stimulated us to greater exer- tion.” The aptness of these words especially come home when it is remembered that failure had been extensively predicted—partly from sheer ignorance. Celebration of Success. Taken entirely by surprise, all England applauded the triumph of such undaunted perseverance, and the engineering as well as the nautical skill displayed in this victory over the elements. The Atlantic telegraph had been justly described as “ the great feat of the century if ever accomplished, ” and this sug- gestion was re-echoed far and wide on its realization. The following extract from the leading article in the Times the day after completion is an example of prevailing com- ments upon the achievement :— “ Mr. Bright, having landed the end of the