1-150-197 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Atlantic Telegraph - A bad look out for Despotism', 1858. John Bull calling to Jonathan Hold fast, Jonathan. Jonathan replying All right, Johnny. John Bull, at Velentia Bay on the west coast of Ireland, and Jonathan at Trinity Bay in Newfoundland on the east coast of America, each pull on their end of the first transatlantic cable. As the cable is pulled taut, Neptune is sent overboard. Despotism is under threat due to the increased speed of communication. This was a project jointly funded by Britain and America. The work had been carried out by the Atlantic Telegraph Company. Manufacture of the cable began in early 1857 and was completed in June 1857. The cable was taken aboard two naval vessels detailed for the task by their respective governments - the American Niagara and the British Agamemnon. At the fifth attempt the two ships reached their destinations and the two continents were finally joined on 5th August 1858 starting at Valentia Harbour in Ireland. Unfortunately, tests were carried out on the cable at the incorrect voltage, and within three weeks the damage had caused the cable to fail. From Punch, or the London Charivari, August 21, 1858.