Arrival of the Frigate Niagara

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This noble war steamer arrived at this port on the 20th, having sailed from Plymouth, Eng., on the 5th inst., making the voyage in a little over fourteen days—a very good passage for a propeller across the Atlantic at this season of the year. There are some recollections of a regretful character connected with the arrival of this vessel. She left our shores last spring to assist in laying the ocean telegraph cable; and great expectations were entertained, from the extensive preparations made, that this would be successfully accomplished ; but these hopes all proved delusive. On the 10th of August, the cable was broken by mismanagement, and the expedition defeated in its objects. The vast expenses incurred by our own and the British governments have all been thrown away, and the Niagara has returned home, having failed to accomplish the objects for which she was sent to Europe. It is now reported that even if the cable had been laid, it would not have operated, as its coating had heated and become defective in the holds of the vessels in which it was coiled. The officers of the Niagara met with much attention, and received tokens of great kindness from the people while in England. A splendid farewell banquet was given to them on the British flag-ship Impregnable, at Plymouth, a few days before the Niagara sailed for home.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 12This article was published with the title “Arrival of the Frigate Niagara” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 12 (), p. 92
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican11281857-92f

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