ROUTE SELECTION AND CABLE LAYING 325 



ately, the cable had not yet been found, so the ship could head into the 

 wind and ride it out. She was driven many miles off course in the process, 

 and the seas will be long and vividly remembered by all present. In- 

 cidentally, the cable was picked up shortly after the storm had mod- 

 erated. 



Generally speaking, the effect of the weather on the engineering super- 

 numeraries on board was not severe, although Monarch's stock of dram- 

 amine was somewhat depleted by the end of the project. 



Miscellaneous Events 



At the start of the first transatlantic lay, several icebergs were en- 

 countered. One, a small one at the mouth of Random Sound, lay in the 

 planned path of the cable and caused an involuntary, though minor, 

 revision of the route. The others, beyond the mouth of Trinity Bay, 

 were larger but also farther away. 



Whales and grampuses got to be common sights, although much film 

 was expended at first by the uninitiated. 



An occasional bird rested on the ship far from land, obviously ex- 

 hausted from its long and presumably unintended journey. 



Progress Bulletins 



Daily progress bulletins were radioed to headquarters of all partners 

 during the laying. 



In addition, because a telephone cable system differs considerably 

 from submarine telegraph cables, the officers and crew were briefed by 

 the engineering personnel as to the repeater structure, the need for 

 equalization and the general objectives of the venture. This proved to 

 be a very profitable move indeed, for the cooperation of all hands was 

 everything that could be wished. As a follow up, daily performance 

 bulletins were posted in strategic parts of the ship so that everyone no 

 matter what his duties, could know just how the evolving system was 

 performing with respect to objectives. 



Cable Order Circuit 



One way conversation from shore to ship over the cable was possible 

 all the time the repeaters were energized. This was a source of very great 

 satisfaction to the shipboard test crew, as it was concrete evidence that 

 the cable was working, and working well. When power was turned down, 

 the recourse to radio telephone provided a comparison which generally 

 left no doubt as to the future value of the cable. 



