Ruper and Co

of East Greenwich

1854 'Messrs. Ruper and Co.'s manufactory. The machinery by which the durability and precision required to construct and isolate the electric wires for submarine purposes are obtained, in very Ingenious and simple, the process is also equally simple. A yarn, well steeped in tar, is taken to form the heart of the cable as it is turned by the men. Around this the gutta percha tubes which protect the electric wires, six in number, were twisted by the steam machinery, and as this coil passes away from this stage, it is firmly secured by a second well-tarred yarn. This process is necessary to make the isolation complete, and to prevent the gutta percha tubes from chafing. The cable being completed thus far, goes through a second operation, but this time a coil of six iron wires is twisted round to form its outer protection ; but the utmost nicety is required to regulate the pressure of the iron wires upon the gutta percha tubes. The whole coil having bet at passed through a preparation of tar, is then completed. The effect of the sea water upon tar, it would appear from a portion of the French electric cable, is to form a conervte of great durability.'

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