In 1873 Thomson and Jenkin were engineers for the Western and Brazilian
cable. It was manufactured by Messrs. Hooper & Co., of Millwall, and
the wire was coated with india-rubber, then a new insulator. The Hooper
left Plymouth in June, and after touching at Madeira, where Sir William
was up 'sounding with his special toy' (the pianoforte wire) 'at half-
past three in the morning,' they reached Pernambuco by the beginning of
August, and laid a cable to Para.
During the next two years the Brazilian system was connected to the West
Indies and the River Plate; but Jenkin was not present on the
expeditions. While engaged in this work, the ill-fated La Plata, bound
with cable from Messrs. Siemens Brothers to Monte Video, perished in a
cyclone off Cape Ushant, with the loss of nearly all her crew. The
Mackay-Bennett Atlantic cables were also laid under their charge.
As a professor Jenkin's appearance was against him; but he was a clear,
fluent speaker, and a successful teacher. Of medium height, and very
plain, his manner was youthful, and alert, but unimposing.
nevertheless, his class was always in good order, for his eye instantly
lighted on any unruly member, and his reproof was keen.
His experimental work was not strikingly original.
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