On the North Atlantic Telegraph. 229 
New York from St. Petersburgh by wires through Siberia 
and on to San Francisco, with a short sea section across 
Behren’s Straits, a total distance of about 12,000 miles. 
This Russian-American line is already far advanced towards 
completion ; but by far the most important line of tele- 
graphic communication between England and America is 
that to be immediately carried into effect vz@ Scotland, the 
Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and the coast of Labra- 
dor, and known as the North Atlantic Telegraph. A glance 
at the map in the direction pointed out will at once show 
that convenient natural landing stations exist, breaking up 
the cable into four short lengths or sections, instead of the 
necessitous employment of one continuous length, as be- 
tween Ireland and Newfoundland. It will also be found 
that the aggregate lengths of these sections is within a very 
few miles the same as that of the Anglo-American cable. 
Not only will this subdivision of the cable reduce mechani- 
cal risks in submerging, but, what is of far more importance, 
the retardation offered to the passage of the current through 
the several short sections is almost as nothing when com- 
pared with that of the unbroken length of 2,000 miles. 
Speed of transmission is obtained, and by that means a 
reduced tariff for public transmissions over the wire; in- 
deed, such will be the advantages gained in this respect 
that the present rate by the Anglo-American line of 20s. 
per word, will be charged on the new route at 2s. 6d., or 
even alesssum. In examining more closely the nature of 
this intended Northern line, it will be found that the lengths 
of the several sections of cable between England and 
America are as follows :—Scotland to the Faroe Isles, 250 
miles ; Faroe to Iceland, 240 miles; Iceland to Greenland, 
750 miles; Greenland to Labrador, 540 miles; or in round 
numbers about 1,780 miles. The several lengths of cable 
will be connected together by special land lines through 
the Faroes (twenty-seven miles), and in Iceland (280 miles), 
and a length of about 600 miles of land wire to be erected 
in Labrador, will complete the circuit with the existing 
American system on to New York. The average depth of 
the ocean between Scotland and the Faroe Isles is only 
150 fathoms, the greatest depth 683 fathoms. Between 
the Faroes and Iceland 250 fathoms, with about the same 
maximum depth. Between Iceland and Julianshaad, the 
intended landing place of the cable in Greenland, the 
greatest depth is 1,550 fathoms, and between Greenland 
and Labrador rather over 2,000 fathoms. These lengths of 
