[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W. G. Bond],
Title
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W. G. Bond],
Date
Identifier
GFF 15/43
Description
Handwritten letter from Walter G. Bond, Holmby, Fortune Green Lane, West Hampstead. N.W., to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 12 March 1898. The letter discusses submarine cables and plans being proposed for them by a firm in which a friend of Bond's works. 2pp.
Transcription:
Dear Prof Fitzgerald.
A gentleman, partner in a well-known firm of consulting submarine-cable engineers, was explaining to me the other day a scheme recommended by them in connection with a proposed direct transmission from London to the far end. He told me that his firm's plan was foolo f[?] by Jaur "beou ami" Mr Preece and he laughingly suggested that it would be a good job to consult Mr Oliver rHeaviside on, since he could tell them whether this scheme was
[diagram]
theoretically sound and might be induced to take an interest in the job by warn of the potential possibility of passage of arms with Mr Preece. I replied that possibily the duel would be very amusing to outsiders like myself, but that I doubted whether it would altogether be good business for the firm, and suggested you. Therefore I was desired to approach you on the matter, as the gentleman was formally quite unknown to you and moreover I did not care to commit myself to an assetion that you ever did work of the kind. Of course on hearing from you that you do, I will immediately inform my friend an ask him to write you directly, formally & fully.
Meanwhile I may say that the firm in question have recommended trusted twin conductor cable with a four foot lay. In the accompanying sketch K=condenser, a1 a2 twin conductor subterranean cable 200 miles 1mg, C=submarine cable. To this arrangement it is objected that it would not be neutral as regards external disturbances dor the reason that one half of the circuit is not of the same length & capacity as the other. These external disturbances are likley to be s[?] as high speed Wheatstone circuits might possibly be laid in the same circuit. The cable instruments will, of course, be siphon [?].
Trusting that you may see your way to assist in this matter.
Belive me.
Yours very truely.
Walter Bond.
Transcription:
Dear Prof Fitzgerald.
A gentleman, partner in a well-known firm of consulting submarine-cable engineers, was explaining to me the other day a scheme recommended by them in connection with a proposed direct transmission from London to the far end. He told me that his firm's plan was foolo f[?] by Jaur "beou ami" Mr Preece and he laughingly suggested that it would be a good job to consult Mr Oliver rHeaviside on, since he could tell them whether this scheme was
[diagram]
theoretically sound and might be induced to take an interest in the job by warn of the potential possibility of passage of arms with Mr Preece. I replied that possibily the duel would be very amusing to outsiders like myself, but that I doubted whether it would altogether be good business for the firm, and suggested you. Therefore I was desired to approach you on the matter, as the gentleman was formally quite unknown to you and moreover I did not care to commit myself to an assetion that you ever did work of the kind. Of course on hearing from you that you do, I will immediately inform my friend an ask him to write you directly, formally & fully.
Meanwhile I may say that the firm in question have recommended trusted twin conductor cable with a four foot lay. In the accompanying sketch K=condenser, a1 a2 twin conductor subterranean cable 200 miles 1mg, C=submarine cable. To this arrangement it is objected that it would not be neutral as regards external disturbances dor the reason that one half of the circuit is not of the same length & capacity as the other. These external disturbances are likley to be s[?] as high speed Wheatstone circuits might possibly be laid in the same circuit. The cable instruments will, of course, be siphon [?].
Trusting that you may see your way to assist in this matter.
Belive me.
Yours very truely.
Walter Bond.
Source
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letters
Contributor
Rights
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Relation
RDS Science Archive
Format
Manuscript
Language
English
Type
Coverage
1870-1901
Collection
Citation
“[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W. G. Bond],,” RDS Digital Archive, accessed July 16, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/984.