98 CABLE ACROSS THE RHINE. 



who had always faithfully aided me in my work in 

 his free time, and was therefore thoroughly competent, 

 was ordered to assist me. Both were granted, and 

 accordingly in the spring of 1849 we began the con- 

 struction of the line simultaneously at several points. 

 Meyer had considerable organizing talent, and was par- 

 ticularly adapted for managing works in which many 

 forces had to co-operate harmoniously. 



Difficulties arose at the rivers Elbe and Rhine, 

 where the active navigation caused me to fear injuries 

 to the wires through dragging anchors. This danger 

 was particularly great in crossing the Rhine, as the 

 conducting wires were for almost the whole breadth of 



D 



the river threatened by the anchors and fishing-tackle. 



t/ ~ 



An envelope of iron wire, which was employed in 

 the case of the Elbe and in crossing smaller livers, 

 appeared insufficient for the Rhine, as the tackle of 

 the sailors and fishermen provided with sharp points 

 could penetrate through the wire covering and injure 

 the insulated conductors within, and as a cable could 

 not be made strong enough to resist the dragging 

 anchors of large ships. I had therefore made specially 

 for the Rhine a chain of wrought -iron tubes, in the 

 cavities of which the insulated wires were placed, 

 whilst a strong chain- cable, supported by a series of 

 heavy ships' anchors, was destined to protect the 

 tube-chain from the dragging anchors of ships passing 

 down the river. This first large subaqueous line with 

 its external protection has stood the test very well. 

 When many years later, after the building of the 



