The North Atlantic telegraph via the Færöe Isles, Iceland, and Greenland

"The North Atlantic telegraph via the Færöe Isles, Iceland, and Greenland is a collection of scientific reports and proceedings written in the mid-19th century. It assembles Royal Geographical Society papers and discussions that evaluate a stepped transatlantic telegraph route via the Færöes, Iceland, Greenland, and Labrador, focusing on deep-sea soundings, landing sites, overland sections, ice behavior, and electrical feasibility. The opening of this volume presents the context, exhibits, and contents of two Society meetings, then traces the project’s origin from Colonel Shaffner’s “north-about” proposal after Faraday’s findings on signal retardation made a single long ocean cable doubtful. It recounts Admiralty-backed surveys: Sir Leopold M‘Clintock’s “Bulldog” taking soundings that show manageable depths and favorable sea-bottoms between the stepping-stones and toward Labrador, with notes on seasonal ice windows and cable durability in cold deep water; and Captain Allen Young’s “Fox” surveying secure landing places at the Færöes (preferring Haldervig and a cove near Thorshaven), Iceland (Gautavik in Berufiord, Hvalfiord near Reykjavík), and Greenland (a deep, berg-safe channel in Julianshaab Fiord), plus guidance on seasons and laying direction. Dr. John Rae’s land expeditions confirm that practical overland routes exist across Stromöe and Iceland (with an improved Sprengisandr option), and he sketches local conditions, logistics, and labor. Throughout, Lord Ashburton frames the meetings as fact-finding, the papers are received enthusiastically, and the narrative credits patrons and supporters while emphasizing that the route appears practicable, with timing and careful execution as the chief challenges.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.