The Victorian Internet
Chapter 5 Summary
By:Razia, Gemma, Laura, and Cris
The next phase for the telegraph was to make it go transatlantic, but not having any knowledge of how to do so and high costs posed great barriers. Cyrus W. Field, a very wealthy man, decided to take on this challenge with the help of English engineer Frederic N. Gisborne. Gisborne wanted another chance after a failed attempt of creating a telegraph cable betweenNewfoundlandand theGulfofSt-Lawrence. Samuel Morse gave his backing and support, hoping that his visions of an Atlantic telegraph would be one day fulfilled. It took two and a half years for the New York- St-John’s link to be complete and for Field to establish theNew York,Newfoundlandand London Telegraph. The Atlantic Telegraph was set up and Field was able to get support for the project from both theUnited Statesand the English government. They began construction of the 2,500 mile cable with the help of electrician Dr. Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse. Unfortunately for them, Whitehouse was an inexperienced amateur.
Though rushed, the cable was able to be ready by the time that was promised by Field and taken to sea in July 1857 on the USS Niagara. Sadly after a few days the cable broke and was lost at sea. Though it took Fields months to receive funding to replace the cable, he was able to do so and a second attempt was in progress. After four attempts, the cable landed on August 5th 1858 and the telegraph network was connected between Europe andNorth America. Celebrations and high praises for Field followed this historic event.
The celebration was short lived, less than a month after its completion, the telegraph deteriorated. Another attempt would be in progress, this time without the help of Whitehouse. Professor Thomson was brought on board to help with the re-creation of the telegraph. With Thomson’s aid, theAtlanticTelegraph was once again up and running.
Tom Standage's The Victorian Internet 