Tim wrote:
http://www.greatoceanliners.net/greateastern.html

A technological wonder of the day, that just didn't work.. it's a shame
too. A beautiful, and proud ship, that had so much going against it.
But it DID lay the trans-atlantic cable...

THE transatlantic cable? There were several. The Great Eastern layed
the second successful one, with the first two attempts by the Great
Eastern failing. The first successful cable was strung by two ships,
American Niagara and the British Agamemnon after four failed attempts.
This one only lasted a few months, I believe.