Chapter Five 
CYRUS THE GREAT 
AFTER THESE REPEATED and heroic efforts to lay an Atlantic 
cable, in which several million dollars had been practically 
tossed into the ocean, the pessimists had their inning. Imme- 
diately after the Niagara’s arrival in Queenstown, word spread 
that the expedition had failed. Cyrus Field landed and set 
out for London to meet the directors. The chairman, Sir 
William Brown, sent word from Liverpool to sell the cable 
and abandon the undertaking. The vice-chairman, who had 
formerly shown unusual enthusiasm, resigned his office and 
left the meeting. The prospect was anything but cheerful. 
Undismayed, the remaining directors resolved, like Robert 
Bruce, to try once more and to do so at once. Thomson and 
Bright, the technical advisers, agreed that the feat was pos- 
sible. ‘There was still sufficient cable left for a successful lay- 
ing. ‘The order to go ahead was given. Curtis Lampson, who 
acted as deputy-chairman and stood firm for another trial, 
was eventually made a baronet by Queen Victoria for thus 
sticking so loyally. 
On July 17, with no cheers, the ships sailed from Queens- 
town. They were to proceed individually, rather than as a 
squadron, to the rendezvous. This repeated attempt to con- 
quer the Atlantic was generally regarded as a “mad freak of 
stubborn ignorance.” Derision and pity were expressed by 
people who a few months before had sent good wishes and 
God-speed. 
The ships arrived on different days at the rendezvous. The 
Niagara was there on July 23, the Valorous on the 25th, the 
Gorgon on the 27th, and the Agamemnon on the 28th. Ex- 
perienced hands made the splice. ‘The Niagara, with Cyrus 
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