The vast Atlantic Ocean, once a formidable barrier separating continents, was metaphorically abolished in 1858 through the ambitious endeavor of American paper merchant Cyrus Field, who spearheaded the laying of the first telegraph cable across the ocean floor. This technological feat, detailed in James M. Tabor's book "Lightning Beneath The Sea," drastically reduced communication time between the Old World and the New from weeks to mere minutes.
Field, who initially had no prior knowledge of telegraphy or electricity, embarked on what would become a more than a decade-long mission. His first attempt in 1855 ended in failure when the cable snapped. A subsequent effort in 1858 faced severe weather, with one ship laying the cable nearly capsizing amidst "walls of water on both sides as high as five-storey buildings."
Despite these setbacks, a second attempt later in 1858 was declared a success, leading to widespread celebrations in New York. Field was hailed as a hero, with "his name on millions of tongues." However, these accolades proved premature. The cable soon malfunctioned, and by the same day New York City celebrated, the Atlantic cable had ceased to function. This turn of events led to public condemnation and financial difficulties for Field.
Undeterred, Field relaunched his efforts in 1865. He acquired Isambard Kingdom Brunel's massive ship, the Great Eastern, which he refitted for the challenging task. An expedition that year was again unsuccessful, reportedly due to sabotage. Yet, a subsequent attempt in 1866 finally achieved a lasting success. The cable was laid, and this time, telegraphic communication across the Atlantic Ocean was established and remained operational, marking the culmination of Field's 12-year struggle.
Tabor's narrative explores this extraordinary story of perseverance against significant disaster and triumph, bringing Field's often-overlooked achievement to life through extensive research.