The Paying-out Machinery in the Stern of the Great Eastern

1865

Not on view

One of the 19th century's great technological achievements was to lay a telegraphic cable beneath the Atlantic, allowing messages to speed back and forth between North America and Europe in minutes, rather than ten or twelve days by steamer. An initially successful attempt in 1858, led by Cyrus W. Field and financed by the Atlantic Telegraph Company, failed after three weeks. Two working cables were finally laid in July and September 1866, the result of repeated efforts by the indefatigable Field, a cadre of engineers, technicians, and sailors, two groups of financial backers, and significant help from the British and United States navies.This watercolor by Dudley shows elaborate machinery on the Great Eastern's aft deck used to pay out the cable into the water. Part of a series documenting the long, arduous process, this image was reproduced as a color lithograph in William H. Russell's 1866 book "The Atlantic Telegraph" (92.10.100 and 61.536.5). In 1892 Field donated art works by Dudley, a copy of Russell's book, commemorative medals, memorabilia, and specimens of cable to the Museum.

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Title: The Paying-out Machinery in the Stern of the Great Eastern
Artist: Robert Charles Dudley (British, 1826–1909)
Date: 1865
Medium: Watercolor over graphite with touches of gouache (bodycolor)
Dimensions: Sheet: 6 3/4 × 10 1/2 in. (17.2 × 26.7 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of Cyrus W. Field, 1892
Object Number: 92.10.63
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The Majolica Fountain in the International Exhibition, Designed by the Late John Tomas, Executed by Minton, Hollins and Co., from "Illustrated London News"

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Making the Splice between the Shore End and the Ocean Cable, Robert Charles Dudley British, Oil on canvas — Making the Splice between the Shore End and the Ocean Cable
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Grappling for the Lost Cable, Robert Charles Dudley British, Oil on canvas — Grappling for the Lost Cable
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Homeward Bound: "The Great Eastern", Robert Charles Dudley British, Oil on canvas — Homeward Bound: "The Great Eastern"
Robert Charles Dudley
ca. 1866

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