View, Looking Aft, from the Port Paddle Box of the Great Eastern, Showing the Trough for the Cable, etc.

This watercolor by Dudley shows a long trough that held the cable on the deck of the Great Eastern. Figures stand on a cover over one of the ship's huge paddlewheels. Part of a series documenting the long, arduous process, this image was reproduced as a color lithograph in William H. Russell's 1866 book "The Atlantic Telegraph" (92.10.100 and 61.536.5). In 1892 Field donated art works by Dudley, a copy of Russell's book, commemorative medals, memorabilia, and specimens of cable to the Museum.