2-716-539 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The Laying of the Atlantic Cable, 1857: H.M.S. 'Agamemnon' fitted with the machine for passing the coil overboard', (1901). HMS 'Agamemnon' was the first warship to be built with screw propulsion. After being converted she was involved in the first attempts to lay the transatlantic telegraph cable in 1857-1858. The third attempt succeeded but the cable only remained operational for a few weeks before its insulation deteriorated. The cable would not be permanently established until the 'Great Eastern' accomplished the task in 1866. From "The Illustrated London News Record of the Glorious Reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901: The Life and Accession of King Edward VII. and the Life of Queen Alexandra". [London, 1901]