The cable transmission became slower and slower. After three weeks, an electrical engineer and telegraph operator named Wildman Whitehouse increased the voltage to the line to try to push messages through. The voltage damaged the cable insulation, and ruined it. 

The second attempt at the transatlantic cable failed as well, due to many breaks in the cable. The engineers soon determined there was probably a better way to lay the cable. 

After two failures, there were many doubts surrounding the project. But Field and his partners wanted to try again. Even though there was a financial depression in England, the excitement about the project was so high that the 600,000 pound goal was raised in two weeks.

There were two main ships used for the operation. The Niagara and Agamemnon met in the middle of the Atlantic, spliced the cable together, and headed apart, repairing the cable as they returned home. The successful expedition created excitement around the world. 

"May the cable under the sea tend to promote harmony between the republic of the West and the Governments of the Eastern Hemisphere"
~ Andrew Johnson (Oslin)