400 Mr, J, W, Brett, [March 20, 



I placed three tried and brave men at the breaks, and had the 

 result of the log placed before them every quarter of an hour, 

 timing the revolution of delivery of the cable over the drums by a 

 minute watch. These experienced hands nobly did their duty, 

 and we never left our post by day or night. It was an anxious 

 moment when at nightfall we were about to enter depths of 1600 

 fathoms, which exceeded by four times those thought to be practi- 

 cable;* we had also during this part of the operation to change 

 the continuation of the cable from the fore hold to that of the 

 midships, or upper hold, and also to remove the mid deck, to enable 

 the coil to come up from the lower deck, operations involving labour 

 and great risk ; yet we dared not stop, being warned that a per- 

 pendicular strain on the cable in great depths would be fatal. 



In the morning Galita appeared in sight ; onward we went, but 

 did not appear to near it ; an observation of the sun at the meridian 

 proved that we were out of our course. We signalled to the 

 commander of the French towing vessel, and gave our observation, 

 which proved to be correct. The French commander attributed 

 the deviation from his course to the currents, which he stated in his 

 report took him 20 miles out of his course. 



The distance to land now, according to our reckoning, was 12 

 or 13 nautical miler, whereas the length of telegraph cable remaining 

 on board was only 12 statute miles. A consultation was therefore 

 held with the French commander ; and it was determined, that as it 

 was impossible to reach land with the cable, and as we were in great 

 depths to the west of our line of soundings, we should at once steer 

 due east, to endeavour to recover the line of soundings and buoy 

 the end of the cable in shallow water. I encouraged the exhausted 

 men at the breaks, urging them not to give an inch more line than 

 was necessary, that we might, if possible, reach shallow water. At 

 length we came to the last mile, without a chance of reaching a 

 shallow part. It now became necessary to prepare for eventualities, 

 and it was decided we must endeavour to hold our position, in depths 

 of 400 to 500 fathoms, for five or six days, while the Tartare went 

 to Algiers for a barge or lighter, whereon to secure the end of the 

 cable. We secured the cable along the side of the vessel with 

 hempen fastenings, as a precaution against snapping, or being injured 

 by friction, and restored the interior supports, removed from the 

 vessel to allow the exit of the cable, as we were now left alone to 

 the risk of rough weather. This, unfortunately, was not long in 

 coming. 



Two vessels only passed us during the six days. The first was 

 a Newcastle collier, which we hailed, and as the master seemed 

 indisposed to come to us, our captain put off" to him in a heavy sea, 

 and enquiring his destination, offered to send a telegraphic message 



* Four hundred fathoms having been said, by experienced engineers, to be 

 the greatest depth practicable. 



