Harzburg, June 1890. 



J_he successful use of copper wires coated with 

 gutta-percha as underground conductors suggested their 

 employment also for submarine telegraphic communi- 

 cation. That sea -water was not in any way injurious 

 to the gutta-percha had been proved in the case of 

 the insulated wires connected with the torpedoes in 

 Kiel harbour, which were quite unchanged after the 

 lapse of two years. 



The first attempt to connect two sea -coasts by 

 means of gutta-percha conductors had been made as 

 early as 1850 by Mr. Brett, who had obtained a con- 

 cession for a submarine telegraphic communication 

 between Dover and Calais. The unprotected wire 

 laid by him retained its efficiency, as was to be ex- 

 pected, not much longer than the time of the actual 

 laying, if indeed it was ever really serviceable. It- 

 was replaced in the following year through Messrs. 

 Newall & Gordon by a conductor armed with iron 

 wires, which acted well for some time. This was 

 the commencement of submarine telegraphy, destined 

 speedily to become one of the most important media 

 of communication. 



