The Great Eastern Begins Its Historic Voyage

The largest ship afloat at the time, the Great Eastern, embarked on a two-week voyage from Ireland to Newfoundland. This journey marked the fifth and successful attempt to lay a transatlantic telegraph cable, completing a twelve-year effort to connect Europe and North America. The ship carried 2,730 nautical miles of cable, which would revolutionize global communication.

The Great Eastern, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was specifically chosen for this task due to its size and capacity to carry the massive cable. Previous attempts to lay the cable had failed due to technical difficulties and environmental challenges. However, this voyage was meticulously planned, with innovations in cable design and laying techniques ensuring success.

After Effects

On July 27th, 1866, the Great Eastern arrived in Newfoundland, having successfully laid the transatlantic cable. This achievement allowed for near-instantaneous communication between Europe and North America, a remarkable advancement from the weeks or months previously required for message exchanges. The successful laying of the transatlantic cable was a significant milestone in global communication, fostering international business, diplomacy, and personal connections.

Sources

“Landing of the Transatlantic Cable, 1866.” *Engineering and Technology History Wiki*, www.ethw.org/Milestones:Landing_of_the_Transatlantic_Cable,_1866.

Bellis, Mary. “Timeline of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable.” *ThoughtCo*, 21 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/atlantic-telegraph-cable-timeline-1773793.

“1866 Transatlantic Cable Medal.” *Atlantic Cable*, www.atlantic-cable.com/Souvenirs/1866Medal/.

“How Perseverance Laid the First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable.” *Science Museum*, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/how-perseverance-laid-first-transatlantic-telegraph-cable.

“July 27, 1866: The Transatlantic Cable That Worked.” *ABC27 News*, 27 July 2021, www.abc27.com/digital-originals/july-27-1866-the-transatlantic-cable-that-worked/.