The forge on deck of the Great Eastern - night of August 9th preparing the iron plating for capstan.

The forge on deck of the Great Eastern - night of August 9th preparing the iron plating for capstan. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: PX8278

Description: Three times the telegraph cable was grappled, on 3 August, 7 August and again on 11 August 1866. Each time hundreds of metres of cable was heaved off the sea bottom, but each time the shackle joints of the wire rope failed under the enormous strain of bearing not just the weight of the cable, but also the wire rope's own weight. On deck, too, the lifting gear was suffering, and repair crews toiled to keep the capstans and machinery in working order.

Creator: R. Dudley (artist): G. McCulloch (engraver): Day & Son (engravers)

Date: 1866