Lieut.  Maury and Prof.  Morse—­The scheme pronounced practicable—­Mr. Field secures the co-operation of four New York capitalists—­Organization of the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company—­Building of the line from New York to St. John’s—­A herculean task—­The Governmental ocean surveys of the United States and England—­Efforts to secure aid in England—­Liberal action of the Government—­Organization of the Atlantic Telegraph Company—­A hard-won success in America—­Passage of the bill by Congress—­The first attempt to lay the cable—­The expedition of 1857—­The telegraph fleet—­Scenes on board—­Loss of the cable—­Failure of the expedition—­Difficulties remedied—­The new “paying-out” machinery—­The expedition of 1858—­The second attempt to lay the cable—­Dangerous storm—­Failures—­Loss of the cable—­The third attempt—­The cable laid successfully—­Messages across the Atlantic—­Celebrations in England and the United States—­The signals cease—­The cable a failure—­Discouraging state of affairs—­Courage of Mr. Field—­Generous offer of the British Government—­Fresh soundings—­Investigations of the Telegraph Board—­Efforts of Mr. Field to raise new capital—­Purchase of the Great Eastern—­The fourth attempt to lay the cable—­Expedition of 1865—­Voyage of the Great Eastern—­Loss of the cable—­Efforts to recover it unsuccessful—­What the expedition demonstrated—­Efforts to raise more capital—­They are pronounced illegal—­The new company—­The fifth attempt to lay the cable—­Voyage of the Great Eastern—­The cable laid at last—­Fishing up and splicing the cable of 1865—­The final triumph—­Credit due to Mr. Field.

III.  INVENTORS.

CHAPTER XIII.

Robert Fulton.

Trinity churchyard—­The Livingston vault—­An interesting place—­Fulton’s tomb—­Birth of Robert Fulton—­Boyhood—­Early mechanical skill—­Robert astonishes his tutor—­Robert’s fireworks—­“Nothing is impossible”—­“Quicksilver Bob”—­The fishing excursion—­The first paddle-wheel boat—­Fulton’s success as an artist—­His gift to his mother—­His removal to England—­Intimacy with Benjamin West—­Goes to Devonshire—­Acquaintance with the Duke of Bridgewater—­His interest in canal navigation—­His first inventions—­Goes to Paris—­Residence with Mr. Barlow—­Studies in engineering—­Invents the diving boat—­The infernal machine—­His patriotic reply to the British ministry—­His marriage—­Returns to America—­The General Government declines to purchase his torpedo—­Brief history of the first experiments in steam navigation—­Fulton’s connection with Livingston—­The trial boat on the Seine—­Determines to build a boat on the Hudson—­Fulton and Livingston are given the sole right to navigate the waters of New York by steam—­Popular ridicule—­Disbelief of scientific men—­Launch of the “Clermont”—­The trial trip—­The first voyage up the Hudson—­Fulton’s triumph—­Scenes along the river—­Efforts