104 



THE SEA. 



the stormy waves ; and how two great nations, the offspring of one race and the pioneers 

 of civilisation, will speak through this wonderful coil, annihilating distance and time. Who 

 can help dreaming here on the spot where we stand ? For it is truly a marvellous romance 

 of civilisation, this Great Eastern and this Atlantic telegraph caLle. Even should our age 

 produce nothing else, it alone would be the triumph of our age. ;> 



The Great Eastern left the Thames on July 13th, 1865. After sundry mishaps, she 

 turned her mighty prow towards the sunset, and proceeded on her stately way. All went 

 well until the 29th of July, when a little after noon a new cry of alarm was raised. And 



THE PAYING-OUT MACHINERY ON BOARD THE "GREAT EASTERN." 



well it might be, for the insulation was completely destroyed and the electric current overflow- 

 ing uselessly into the sea. As the faulty piece had gone overboard, it was necessary once 

 more to reverse the vessel's course, and haul in the cable until the defective part was recovered. 

 This was a difficult task, for they were in water two miles deep. Difficulties did not, how- 

 ever, daunt the pioneers of this great enterprise, and after working all the afternoon, the 

 injured cable was got on board about ten o'clock at night. It was at once stowed away, and 

 the next morning, Sunday, was welcomed with an eager feeling of relief and delight after 

 the suspense of the preceding four-and- twenty hours. On Monday the miles of cable which 

 had been hauled up and were coiled in huge heaps upon the deck were closely examined to 

 discover the origin of the mischief. This was soon detected. Near the end a piece of wire 

 was thrust through the very core, as if driven into it. The recurrence of such a mishap 

 actually suggested suspicions of treachery. It was observed that the same gang of work- 

 men were in the tank as at the time of the first fault. Mr. Canning sent for the men, and 



