Submarine telegraph cable. Historical illustration of the submarine telegraph cable laid across the Atlantic in 1865. A cross-section is at top and an external view is at bottom. The first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858. The laying of the 1865 cable failed and another cable was laid in 1866. The cables consisted of a core of copper wires, surrounded by gutta-percha (latex), tarred hemp and an outer sheath of iron wires. Artwork from 'Electricite' (1911) by Max de Nansouty, part of the 'Les merveilles de la science' series of 1867-1891 by Louis Figuier.