THE ATLANTIC CABLE BROKEN.

West Coast Times, Issue 572, 25 July 1867, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE ATLANTIC CABLE BROKEN.

On the 17th JMay some exaggerated rumors Avere circulated in London to effect that the Atlantic Cable of 1866 had been ruptured, and the shares of

the Anglo-American Telegraph were exposed, in consequence, to violent fluctuations in price. The chairman of the company thereupon issued a public letter in which he gave the following account of the accident, but he as not yet explained how it happened, that, though it occured between the sth and the Bth May, no acknowledgement of the fact was made until the 17th. On sth !May it Avas reported that on 4th May, at 6.30 p.m., "a large iceberg grounded off the harbor of Heart's Content, Newfoundland, about a mile and a-half N.N.W. of Northern Point, and 200 yards, east of the 1866 cable, in about sixteen fathoms water. No danger with the present Avind." On Bth May it was reported that " Iceberg as disappeared ;" but in passing over the cable of 1866 it seems that some damage must have been done, for the signals through that cable became imperfect, and have now ceased. The cable of 1865, is however, v.ainjured, and there is no reason that the injury to the cable of 1866 will be repaired without delay, or any considerable expense. I need only add that the capacity of the cable of 1865 exceeds the requirements of the business, great as it is, between this country and America. It Avas announced on the 22nd May that Mr Willoughby Smith, Avho was sent especially to Valentia to report, confirmed the tests fixing the injury at about three and a-half miles from the station at Heart's Content, or within one and a-half or two miles of the land, and therefore in shallow water. Arrangements have since been made between the Anglo-American Telegraph Company and the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company for the immediate repair of the accident, and a A r essel fitted Avith all neeeful appliances, and carrying out a skilled staff, will be despatched from the Thames early in June. It is consequently expected that Avithin three weeks the cable Avill be restored. Meanwhile the cable of 1865 continues in perfect working order.