[13] The Pirate, p. 2.
[14] Valentia is the Irish terminus of several of the present Atlantic lines.
[15] N.M.—Nautical miles.
[16] Though such a core would have been a great novelty at the time, it closely approximates to present-day practise.
[17] Mins. Proc. Inst. C. E., vol. xvi.
[18] An Atlantic cable of the present day runs into about half a million sterling. Gutta-percha was, in those days, less scarce; on the other hand, its manufacture was more of a novelty, and there was comparatively little competition in cable-making.
[19] Professor Morse (who held a sort of watching brief for the United States Government) also took passage, but had to retire to his berth as soon as the elements asserted themselves, and was scarcely visible again till all was over.
[20] The sheaves had several grooves which the cable fitted into in its passage. Though possessing some merits, this plan was never again adopted, owing partly to the above risk.
[21] This was owing to the two halves of the cable being made at different factories, without any communication passing between them on the subject.
[22] This apparatus first gained its name from the nature of the part it plays in machinery, being similar to that of a human jockey.