THE LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLES. 



157 



localise, and the cable is possibly cut at the first half-mile 

 inboard, and afterwards at every quarter- mile according to 

 the tests until the seaward end is perfect, and the fault is in 

 the last length cut. This piece is duly labelled and tested 

 separately afterwards, the exact position of the fault found and 

 the piece repaired. 



Meanwhile fresh cable from tank is brought up and spliced 

 on to the end hanging from the bows. Paying-out now having 

 to be continued as before from the stern, the end from tank Is 

 first taken aft, passing between the blocks of friction table, over 



Fig. 75. — Reversiu Switch and Short Circuit Key. 



drum, under dynamometer pulley and over stern sheave. 

 Thence the end is drawn outside the ship along the side towards 

 the bows (hand slip ropes round the cable being secured along 

 ship's rail at intervals to take the weight) and brought over the 

 spare bow sheave inboard and stoppered. About 20ft. of 

 slack on this end is brought in for splicing. Both ends now hang 

 from the bow sheaves and are both stoppered. The joint and 

 splice are then made, this occupying about two"^ hours, and 

 then the stoppers are slacked and the bight lowered by" means 

 of the ropes at each side. When in the sea the ropes are cut, 

 and the men stationed along the ship's side let go the slip 



