THE ELECTKIC TELEGRAPH. 



stations, by increasing the number of conducting -wires, and by 

 lowering the tariff. 



The electric communications with the continent may now bo 

 considered as secure from all chance of interruption. Accidents 

 from the dragging of anchors may occur, by which any one of 

 the submarine cables may be disabled for a time, but in that case 

 the communication with the continent will be maintained by either 

 or both of the others, such a coincidence as the simultaneous 

 disabling of all the three not being within the bounds of moral 

 possibility. 



MEDITERKAKEAN ELECTEIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY. 



283. Another company has been formed by the spirit and 

 enterprise of the Messrs. Brett, under the auspices of the govern- 

 ments of France and Piedmont, for connecting the coasts of 

 Europe and Africa by electric wires, in the manner already 

 explained (84). This company is formed with a share capital of 

 300000/. An exclusive privilege for fifty years has been granted 

 to it by the two governments, and a guarantee of interest of four 

 per cent, on 1800007. is given by the French, and 5 per cent, on 

 1200007. by the Sardinian Government. 



This enterprise is now (1854) in rapid progress of realisation, 

 several hundred men being occupied in constructing the lines 

 actoss the islands of Sardinia and Corsica. It is expected that 

 the lines to the coast of Africa will be completed and in operation 

 soon after these pages will be in the hands of our readers. 



While we write these lines (June, 1854) we learn that the cable 

 has been laid between Spezzia and Corsica, and between Corsica 

 and Sardinia, and is already in successful operation. 



The condition and form of the bottom between coast and coast 

 has been ascertained by soundings, and is found to present no 

 obstacles, being free from any considerable inequalities of depth. 

 The conducting wires within this cable have received a special 

 form, the advantage of which is, that in case of the cable being 

 bent by any accidental inequalities of the bottom, or accidents in 

 the process of its deposition, the wires will not be strained, but 

 will easily yield as a spiral spring would. In the cables already 

 laid, it has been found that some of the wires have been more or 

 less injured from this cause, so as to render their performance 

 unsatisfactory. 



The weight of this cable is at the rate of 8 tons per mile. It 



contains six conducting wires, each of which is covered with a 



coating of gutta pcrcha, and the whole is surrounded with hemp, 



properly tarred, so as to form a compact rope, which is finally 



120 



