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Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, after raising it, on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Creator: Unknown
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Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, after raising it, on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, after raising it, on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Robert Dudley '...of the anxious group of men...handling and inspecting the cable...a fault in the electric insulation of the cable...[had been] detected, and a length of ten miles which had been submerged in the wake of the ship was picked up again to examine where the fault lay; it was then found that a tiny piece of loose iron wire had forced its way through the outer covering and the gutta-percha surrounding the electric wire, so as to come in contact with the latter; and, when this piece was cut out and a new splice made, the fault was effectually cured...the final examination...was made by a series of electrical tests. Slowly but surely the defective portion of the cable was reached and cut out. A very painful discovery...was then made...It was impossible to resist the irritating and sorrowful conviction that such an injury was the work of some hired cable assassin or some purposeless malefactor...the names of the gentlemen who performed this voluntary service were Mr. Cyrus Field, Captain Moriarty, Professor Thomson, Mr. Varley, Mr. R. Dudley, Mr. H. O'Neil, A.R.A., Mr. Gooch, M.P., and M. Jules Despecher'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865
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Media ID 38686453
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Atlantic Telegraph Company Broken Cable Checking Communication Cyrus Field Cyrus W Field Cyrus West Field Dark Darkness Deck Dudley Robert Dudley Robert Charles Examining Field Cyrus Field Cyrus West Great Eastern Lantern Lord Kelvin On Board On Deck Robert Charles Dudley Robert Dudley Sabotage Sabotaged Ss Great Eastern Steam Ship Telecommunication Telecommunications Telegraph Telegraph Cable Telegraphy William Thomson Winch Winding Gear Winding Machine Winding Wheel Baron Kelvin Faulty Gutta Percha Sir William Thomson
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A Moment of Truth - Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, a team of experts gathered on board the Great Eastern in 1865 to examine and repair a crucial section of the transatlantic telegraph cable. The anxious group, comprising esteemed gentlemen such as Cyrus Field, Captain Moriarty, Professor Thomson, and others, carefully handled and inspected the damaged cable after it was raised from its underwater resting place.
Their mission was to identify and rectify a fault in the electric insulation that had been detected earlier. As they worked tirelessly to locate the source of the problem, their patience was rewarded with a surprising discovery: a tiny piece of loose iron wire had pierced through the outer covering and gutta-percha surrounding the electrical wire, causing contact between them.
With this crucial finding, the team set about cutting out the defective portion and making a new splice. The process was painstakingly slow but ultimately successful, as they conducted a series of electrical tests to ensure their handiwork was sound. This photograph captures a pivotal moment in history when human ingenuity and perseverance triumphed over adversity.
The story behind this image is one of dedication, teamwork, and the pursuit of innovation - all set against the backdrop of an era marked by rapid technological progress. The faces on display here are those of pioneers who pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible, driven by a shared vision to bridge continents through communication.
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