THE SUBMARINE CABLES OF THE WORLD 
103 
• as a consequence, the establishment of a number of short sub- 
marine cables in Europe and America followed shortly afterward. 
In 1854, Mr C}wus W. Field, whose memory will ever be dear 
to the liearts of Americans, took up, in compan}'’ with American 
and English capitalists, the project to connect Europe and 
America b}’- a submarine cable, and on August 7, 1857, the lay- 
ing of the first Atlantic cable was begun by the U. S. frigate 
Xiagara, which sailed from Valentia, Ireland, in the direction of 
Heart’s Content, Newfoundland. When about 400 miles had 
been laid, the cable broke and the steamer returned. In the 
following 3 ’ear, 1858, the attempt was renewed, H. ]\I. S. Aga- 
memnon, with one portion of the cable, and the U. 8. frigate 
Xiagara, with the other portion, meeting in mid-ocean, in about 
latitude 52° 02' north, longitude 33° 18' west, to splice the cable 
there, and then to lay it, one shi]) sailing eastward and the other 
westward. In this attempt also the cable broke and the steam- 
ers returned to port, but a sufficient length of cable being left, 
another attempt was made later in the year and the laying was 
successful!}^ accomplished over the whole distance. America and 
Europe were united by telegraphic communication on August 5, 
and congratulatory messages were exchanged between the two 
continents. This is what the Queen of England telegraplied to 
the President of the United States : 
“The Queen desires to congratulate the President upon the successful 
completion of this great international work, in which the Queen has 
taken the deepest interest. The Queen is convinced that the President 
will join with her in ferventl}'^ hoping that the electric cable which now 
connects Great Britian with the United States will prove an additional 
link between the nations whose friendship is founded upon their common 
interest and reciprocal esteem. The Queen has much pleasure in com- 
municating with the President, and renewing to him her wishes for the 
prosperity of the United States.” 
4'o this President Buchanan replied as follows : 
“The President cordially reciprocates the congratulations of Her IMajesty 
the Queen on the success of the great international enterprise aci’om- 
plished l)y the science, skill, and indomitable enersry of the two countries. 
It is a triumph more glorious, because far more useful to mankind, than 
was ever won Ijy comiueror on the field of battle. }Iay the .Atlantic tele- 
graph, nniler the blessing of Heaven, ])rove to b(‘ a bond of perp(>tual 
peace ami friendship between the kindred nations, and an instrument 
destineil l>y Divine Providenc-e to dilfuse religion, civilization, liberty, 
and law throughout the world. In this view will not all nations of 
f’hristendom spontaneously unite in the declaration that it shall lu- for- 
ever neutral, and that its communications shall be held sacred in passing 
to their places of destination, even in the midst of hostilities?” 
