I.
'Birkenhead: April 18, 1858.
'Well, you should know, Mr. - having a contract to lay down a
submarine telegraph from Sardinia to Africa failed three times in
the attempt. The distance from land to land is about 140 miles.
On the first occasion, after proceeding some 70 miles, he had to
cut the cable - the cause I forget; he tried again, same result;
then picked up about 20 miles of the lost cable, spliced on a new
piece, and very nearly got across that time, but ran short of
cable, and when but a few miles off Galita in very deep water, had
to telegraph to London for more cable to be manufactured and sent
out whilst he tried to stick to the end: for five days, I think,
he lay there sending and receiving messages, but heavy weather
coming on the cable parted and Mr. - went home in despair - at
least I should think so.
'He then applied to those eminent engineers, R. S. Newall & Co.,
who made and laid down a cable for him last autumn - Fleeming
Jenkin (at the time in considerable mental agitation) having the
honour of fitting out the ELBA for that purpose.
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