324 THE BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL, JANUARY 1957 



The primary object of these tests was to determine what length of 

 cable should be inserted between the equalizer and the 8th undersea 

 repeater to obtain the optimum system. In practice this resulted in 

 arranging for a length of cable such that the output level of the 8th 

 repeater at 522 kc should be equal to that at the output of the first re- 

 peater at the assumed mean annual temperature of 35.1°F. 



The estimated length of cable required for this purpose was plotted 

 after each measurement. It became evident soon after laying the 5th 

 repeater (94.6 nautical miles of cable laid) that the linear relation ob- 

 tained could be extrapolated with adequate accuracy to safely specify 

 a length of 6.06 nautical miles of cable between the equalizer and the 

 adjacent repeater. 



This decision on length was taken, and after removing power the 

 equalizer was accordingly jointed in, the operation being completed 

 before it was necessary to pay out the splice. During this period capaci- 

 tance and conductor and insulation resistances were checked on each 

 half. During the laying of the second half, measurements were made as 

 for the first half. On arrival at the buoyed shore end a final complete 

 set of measurements was made and these suitably corrected for the shore 

 end length, transmitted to Sydney Mines so that the first measurements 

 from Sydney Mines to Clarenville could be checked with those obtained 

 on the ship. 



SIDELIGHTS 



Weather 



Weather is the big question mark in cable laying and repair activities. 

 With few exceptions the transatlantic project was blessed with remark- 

 ably good weather. The exceptions were, however, noteworthy. 



Heavy snow squalls were encountered off Terrenceville during the 

 operation in that \'icinity. At Rockall Bank on the first laj' one hea\'y 

 storm came up as the last repeater in the 1,200-mile section was going 

 over, and made this launching and the subseciuent buojdng of the end 

 very difficult operations. Both were accomplished successfully as a result 

 of the superb seamanship of Monarches commander, Captain J. P. F. 

 Betson, and his officers and crew. 



A second, and worse storm was encountered upon the return to 

 Rockall. This was a manifestation of hurricane lone, with wind velocities 

 above 100 mph and very high seas. The ship had given up searching for 

 the buoy (later reported drifting more than 500 miles awaj- off the Faeroe 

 Islands) and was grappling for the cable, when the storm hit. Fortun- 



