The First Atlantic Cables 



there was no remission of effort on the part of the 

 great projector. 



Indeed, in the misunderstandings which grew 

 out of the war, and that at one time threatened 

 international conflict, he plainly saw how a cable 

 would have been a peace-maker. A single word 

 of explanation through its wire, and angry feel- 

 ings on both sides of the ocean would have been 

 allayed at the time of the Trent affair. In this 

 conviction he was confirmed by the English 

 press; the London Times said: " We nearly went 

 to war with America because we had no telegraph 

 across the Atlantic." In 1859 the British gov- 

 ernment had appointed a committee of eminent 

 engineers to inquire into the feasibility of an 

 Atlantic telegraph, with a view to ascertaining 

 what was wanting for success, and with the in- 

 tention of adding to its original aid in case the 

 enterprise were revived. In July, 1863, this 

 committee presented a report entirely favourable 

 in its terms, affirming "that a well-insulated 

 cable, properly protected, of suitable specific 

 gravity, made with care, tested under water 

 throughout its progress with the best-known 

 apparatus, and paid into the ocean with the most 

 improved machinery, possesses every prospect 

 of not only being successfully laid in the first 

 instance, but may reasonably be relied upon to 

 continue for many years in an efficient state for 

 the transmission of signals." 



Taking his stand upon this endorsement, Mr. 

 Field now addressed himself to the task of rais- 

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