' [On this
occasion, the ELBA has no cable to lay; but] 'is going out in the
beginning of May to endeavour to fish up the cables Mr. - lost.
There are two ends at or near the shore: the third will probably
not be found within 20 miles from land. One of these ends will be
passed over a very big pulley or sheave at the bows, passed six
times round a big barrel or drum; which will be turned round by a
steam engine on deck, and thus wind up the cable, while the ELBA
slowly steams ahead. The cable is not wound round and round the
drum as your silk is wound on its reel, but on the contrary never
goes round more than six times, going off at one side as it comes
on at the other, and going down into the hold of the ELBA to be
coiled along in a big coil or skein.
'I went down to Gateshead to discuss with Mr. Newall the form which
this tolerably simple idea should take, and have been busy since I
came here drawing, ordering, and putting up the machinery -
uninterfered with, thank goodness, by any one.
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