The submarine cable which is henceforth to connect us with the world, was safely and expeditiously put down on Wednesday forenoon last, between the hours of ten and twelve. It arrived at Holmes’ Hole on Tuesday. Before the cable had reached the Vineyard shore, and when mid way the Sound, communication was had with Boston. Communication was also had with the same place after the cable reached this side, thus proving it to be all right. While the cable was being laid quite a lively scene was presented off the West Chop, where numberless boats were passing to and fro. A revenue cutter was also on the ground, and enlivened the occasion by firing a salute.

 

On Friday, the 18th, a grand celebration will come off at Holmes’ Hole in honor of the event, which is one of great importance to the future growth and development of the resources of our Island. A salute will be fired at 12 o’clock, and a dinner will be given in the grove at 2. In the evening there will be a fine display of Fireworks, the weather proving fair. A band of music will be in attendance, and a host of strangers from New York and Boston, among them many representatives of the press, who will doubtless honor the occasion with appropriate speeches and sentiments.

 

A cordial invitation has been extended to all in these parts to be present at the celebration, and our people will be there in crowds. The steamer Eagle’s Wing will take passengers up in the morning, & we understand that arrangements have been made whereby they can return by the same conveyance in the evening.

 

 

On Friday, the 18th inst., the grand event of laying the submarine electric cable between Nobska Head and West Chop, was duly celebrated at Holmes’ Hole. About one thousand persons were present during the day. Of this number there were three hundred from New Bedford, seventy-five from Boston, fifty from Falmouth, many from West Tisbury and Chilmark, and about two hundred from Edgartown; while the people of Holmes’ Hole were out en masse. The celebration was a grand one from the beginning to end, and far surpassed all other celebrations ever attempted upon the island. At 12 o’clock, M., a salute was fired, and some few moments afterword the Eagle’s Wing came into the harbor, with colors flying and band playing, and landed some four hundred passengers. During the firing of the salute, we regret to state that an unfortunate accident took place, by the premature discharge of a cannon. Mr. George Challis, of Portland, Me., was severely burned in the face, body, and on the arms, and was a sad spectacle to behold amidst the general hilarity which everywhere prevailed. Much sympathy was expressed, and quite a sum of money was raised for him. Mr. C. is a worthy young man, and was to have sailed on a whaling voyage on Monday. He is improving, but it is feared that he will be cripple for life. After the accident, news was sent over the wires to his mother in Portland, and in just 30 minutes from its transmission, answer was returned that the mother would leave with all despatch, to be present and attend at the sick couch of her suffering son.

 

Among the distinguished strangers present, we noticed Mr. Bates, editor of the Plymouth Rock, Mr. Andrews, editor of the Boston Traveller, Mr. Brown, editor of the New Bedford Standard; Hon. James B. Congdon, of New Bedford, Capt. Chas. Spear, President of the Cape Cod Telegraph Company, Dr. Jackson, of Boston, Wm. L. Burroughs, formerly editor of the Daily Gazette in New Bedford, Thomas J. Allen, of Dorchester, Chas. A. Luce, of New York, and many others.

 

At 1-2 past 1, a procession was formed, and a large number of persons marched to the grove, under the direction of Thomas Barrows, Esq., Chief Marshal of the day, assisted by West Luce, John Holmes, Jr., and Henry Bradley, Esqrs.

 

Hon. Thomas Bradley presided on the occasion, assisted by the following Vice Presidents: R. G. Luce, John Holmes, Charles A. Luce, Charles Smith, Charles B. Allen, John Pierce, Samuel Daggett, and E. Marchant.

 

After the good things on the table had been well disposed of, a large number of gentlemen delivered most eloquent and appropriate speeches. Among the speakers we observed Chas. A. Luce, Hon. Jas. B. Congdon, Dr. Andrews, Capt. Spear Bates, Thos. J. Allen, John Pierce, Samuel Osborn, Jr., and other gentlemen.

 

Capt. Bradley, the President of the day, after the tables were filled, made a few appropriate remarks, in which he extended to all strangers present a hearty welcome to the Island, and congratulated all upon the successful completion of the enterprise which had brought the Vineyard in instantaneous communication with a Continent. Capt. Enoch Cook, Jr., the toast-master was then introduced, and he read the first regular toast:-

 

Our Prodigal Sons - We hail their return from much wandering with joy, and to-day greet them with the best the house affords.

 

Charles A. Luce, Esq., of New York, a son of the Vineyard, responded in a most appropriate and eloquent manner. He congratulated the people of the Vineyard on the union which had been formed - a union which he hoped would be enduring as time itself. He spoke of the vast advantages which most accrue to owners and underwriters of vessels from the use of the telegraph, &c., and made many happy allusions both to the past and future of the Vineyard, which were received with great favor.

 

The second regular toast was as follows:-

 

The Memory of Franklin - the first Electro-Telegraph operator - an honor to his country, to science, and to humanity. He aided in our political separation from our mother country. May his more modern successors in Electric science, soon unite America not only with England, but with all the civilized world.

 

Mr. Congdon, of New Bedford, responded in an eloquent speech, in which he took occasion to say that Franklin was connected with the Vineyard, through his grandfather, Peter Folger, who was the first school master on the island.

 

A sentiment to the Inventor of the Electro-Telegraph, was responded to by Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, who gave an account of the discovery of electricity, telegraphing, &c. Dr. Jackson gave as a sentiment - The marriage between the Vineyard and the main. May old Neptune never break the tie.

 

Fourth regular toast:-

 

The Cape Cod Telegraph Company - Our gratitude is due them. And as in union is strength, we believe the Vineyard, now safely moored by the submarine cable to the continent, will with increased vigor improve in all that makes modern life preferable to old existence.

 

Capt. Spear, of the Telegraph Company, responded in a neat speech. At its close, he exhibited to the company a specimen of the submarine cable.

 

One of the happiest events of the day was the appearance of the stand, after a patriotic toast, of Mr. Samuel Daggett, a gentleman of ninety-two years of age. Mt. Daggett was supported on the platform by several gentlemen, while he sang the “Ode on Science.” At first he could scarcely be heard, his voice being weak and feeble, but as he proceeded, his voice strengthened, and when he uttered the words:

 

The British yoke, the Gallic chain,

Was urged upon our necks in vain;

All haughty tyrants we disdain,

And shout, long live America,”

 

the old man’s eye brightened, his nostrils dilated, his mouth was opened, and he poured the living, burning words forth amid a perfect storm of applause. We learn that this Ode has long been a favorite with the old gentleman, in whose heart the fires of freedom burn as brightly to-day as they did in the time which tried men’s souls.

 

Mr. Andrews, of the Traveller, was called up by a toast complimentary to the press. He spoke in a very happy manner, and the press was ably represented by him.

 

Mr. Bates of the Plymouth Rock, responded to a sentiment in honor of Massachusetts. He is an effective speaker, and was listened to with great interest. Mr. Bates offered the following toast:

 

Martha’s Vineyard and Plymouth Rock.-

Though separated by an arm of the Atlantic, they are to-day re-united by the lightning’s power. May the union be eternal.

 

Many volunteer sentiments were given. Among them we find the following:

 

By Charles A. Luce -

 

The New Bedford Brass Band - Their notes are the best ever offered in Dukes County. They will never go at a discount.

 

By a lady:

“Isolated no longer,

Our banner unfurled,

We’re one with the Continent,

One with the world.”

 

By Capt. William Harding:

 

The County of Dukes - The first seeds of grain sown in the United States were sown on her soil, in 1602. May her motto in improvements ever be onward, as demonstrated in 1856.

 

By a lady:

The Island and Continent - Martha, the bride of the sea. May time strengthen the cord which binds her to her royal husband.

 

By the ladies:

Capt. Charles Smith. First in every good work. May his cable of faith be strong - his anchor of hope, sure.

 

By T.J. Allen, of Dorchester:

 

The Marthas of the Vineyard - The true galvanic power that moves the world.

 

The following was handed in, we believe by a lady:

The Vineyard. Although it produces no native wine, it is never wanting in public spirit.

 

At quite a late hour in the afternoon the company separated, having enjoyed the richest feast, both physically and intellectually, ever offered or received by the inhabitants of the Vineyard.

 

The dinner at the grove was prepared by Mr. Thomas Robinson, and gave great satisfaction to all, both on account of the abundance of good things, and the perfect order and decorum which prevailed. Mr. Robinson has our sincere thanks for many courtesies; and we thank him most cordially for the hospitality extended to our brothers of the press.

 

In the evening, there was a beautiful display of Fireworks.

 

 

The steamer Eagle’s Wing, under the command of Capt. Cromwell, performed prodigious labors during the day. In the morning, at her usual hour, she left this place for Holmes’ Hole and New Bedford, with a goodly number of passengers. At 12 o’clock she returned to the scene of festivity, with some 400 strangers, and left again for New Bedford at 4 P.M. At 9 P.M., she returned again, having on board about 500 persons. These arrived too late to see the handsome display of Fireworks. The Eagle’s Wing the received a large accession to the numbers already on board, and left for New Bedford at about half past 9 P.M. During the day she thus transported to and from the Vineyard, and from this place to Holmes’ Hole, about 2,000 passengers. This is the greatest day’s work ever accomplished by any steamer in these waters.

 

 

Masters of vessels are particularly requested not to anchor in the vicinity of the submarine cable. If they should find themselves necessitated to do so, and should unfortunately hook the cable with their anchor, they will please be careful to throw it off the fluke without injury, when it will immediately sink to the bottom. The mere raising of the cable will not result in any damage; and this caution is to prevent masters from ordering it cut with an axe or other sharp or heavy instrument.

 

 

We stated in our last that a Revenue Cutter fired a salute on the occasion of the laying of the submarine cable. She fired but one gun, however. The salute was given from West Chop, at the moment the cable reached the Vineyard shore. Passed Midshipman N.T. West, we believe, superintended the affair. We learn that he is an expert gunner as can be found in the United States’ service.

 

 

We learn that telegraphic communication will be opened between New Bedford, the Vineyard, Plymouth and Boston, early in September.