1-150-403 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'A Word to the Mermaids', 1865. Neptune exclaims Aho-o-o-o-oy, There! Get Off O'That 'Ere Cable, Can't Yer - That's the Way T'Other one was Wrecked!!! Neptune hollering at a clutch of mermaids who seem to enjoy using the precious cable as a plaything. In 1858, the first transatlantic cable had been laid in a joint effort by America and Britain. Unfortunately, the cable had failed after some three weeks. Now, after the end of the American Civil War, another effort was made by the steamer 'Great Eastern'. It was accompanied by the 'Sphinx' and the 'Terrible', but again, problems were encountered and 'Great Eastern' had to return to Valentia on the west coast of Ireland. From Punch, or the London Charivari, August 5, 1865.