by Diane Fontaine Maury-Corbin

“ Matthew Fontaine Maury, in the course of his investigations of the winds and currents, had been led to the conclusion that there existed between Newfoundland and Ireland a broad and level plateau at the bottom of the ocean. ”

“ From Newfoundland to Ireland the distance between the nearest points is about 1,600 miles, and the bottom of the sea between the two places is a plateau which seems to have been placed there especially for the purpose of holding the wires of the submarine telegraph, and of keeping them out of harm’s way. It is neither too deep nor too shallow; yet, it is so deep that, the wires but once landed will remain forever beyond the reach of the anchors of vessels, icebergs, and drifts of any kind, and so shallow that they may be readily lodged upon the bottom. ”

“ All of Maury’s suggestions were finally, after two disastrous failures, carried into effect. Lieutenant Maury was consulted by Cyrus W. Field and others as to the kind of cable to be used, the manner of laying it, and the best time of the year in which to lay it.
[1] At a dinner given in New York in 1858, to celebrate the arrival of the first message across the Atlantic, when called upon to give an account of the work, Mr. Field rose and said, “I am a man of few words: Maury furnished the brains, England gave the money, and I did the work.” ”

“ Some heavier arrangement (cable possibly) would be required in the shallower waters at each end near shore, where tides affected the bottom.
“Such an achievement places man, as it were, in a higher scale of existence, since he thus becomes mentally ubiquitous, — holding converse of thought with the people of every part of the globe.
“The accomplishment of the enterprise has been brought about by a variety of inventions and discoveries at different times, without regard to each other; and yet all were necessary to the successful laying and working of a submarine telegraphic communication. ”

“ If such light substances would sink to the depth of two miles and lie unharmed there, a light wire, protected by any insulating substance, would sink to the same depth, and lie for ages in equal freedom from disturbing forces. ”

“ He thinks the appearance of the minerals indicate that they have been quietly deposited from gentle currents, and not subsequently disturbed.
“Lieutenant Maury affirmed now ‘that the development of this survey established the practicability of laying wires successfully on the bed of the sea.’ “I will leave it to others, sir, to lift the veil of the future, and to picture to the mind of the curious and speculative the influence to be exerted by such an event upon commerce and trade, upon peace and war, and the relationship of nations. ”