Chapter IV – Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin recounts a critical episode during one of Jenkin’s cable-laying missions, filled with uncertainty and engineering risk. Off the coast, his team attempts to retrieve a compromised section of undersea cable that has shown signs of deterioration. With cautious optimism, they lower dredging equipment, fully aware that any further strain could snap the already fragile line. The tension builds as the cable, strained and worn by sea conditions, is brought aboard inch by inch. When visual signs suggest a break is nearby, concern intensifies. Yet, testing reveals the rupture lies closer to shore, leaving the seaward portion intact—a narrow but valuable success.

Even with this positive result, communication from Spartivento suddenly halts, stirring fresh worry about the condition of the crew stationed there and the overall stability of the system. Jenkin, unwilling to leave the issue unresolved, quickly organizes the laying of a new cable from their position to the shoreline. This urgent but carefully executed task is carried out beneath a quiet night sky, the calm contrasting sharply with the stakes at hand. Their destination, Fort Genois, becomes the anchor point for the replacement cable. After securing the connection, the crew turns their attention to retrieving the remaining segments of the failed line. With these tasks completed, preparations are made to move operations toward Spartivento to further diagnose the problem.

The narrative then moves inward, reflecting changes in Jenkin’s personal habits. His previously regular practice of keeping journals and writing diary-style letters begins to fade, a sign of either shifting priorities or emotional exhaustion. However, fragments of professional correspondence from this period remain, preserving his insight into ongoing technical challenges. One notable example involves the laying of the Norderney cable, where Jenkin’s letters reveal a balance of technical precision and human endurance. His words capture the grind of managing cable under pressure, against both environmental and logistical odds. The letters also reflect how engineering success required not just intellect, but persistence and adaptability.

Throughout this chapter, Jenkin’s resilience in the face of layered adversity stands out. Each cable-laying attempt involved unpredictable factors—weather, terrain, material fatigue—and yet, he approached each with methodical patience. These challenges were met not with dramatics but with action, adjustment, and technical clarity. His leadership held the team steady through long nights and complicated recoveries. At no point does he dwell on setbacks; instead, he analyzes, adapts, and pushes forward. This spirit becomes a defining characteristic, shaping how others remember him and how future engineers model perseverance.

This blend of practical action and quiet introspection adds emotional weight to the technical achievements. Jenkin is not portrayed as a detached scientist but as someone deeply engaged with both the process and the people involved. The pressure of undersea communication projects is immense, yet his letters rarely show frustration. Instead, they document an engineer thinking several steps ahead, always with an eye on both problem-solving and safety. Even when progress stalls, Jenkin’s tone remains focused, never cynical. His belief in the purpose of the work carries him through the physical and mental strain.

By integrating the technical story with personal reflection, the chapter gives a more complete view of Jenkin’s contributions. The cable might lie beneath the sea, unseen, but the effort to place it was filled with visible labor, emotion, and decision-making. Jenkin’s commitment wasn’t confined to his profession—it reflected a larger drive to connect and improve the world. His journey at sea was not only about overcoming resistance in wires, but also about navigating doubt, fatigue, and isolation with courage. These experiences, stitched together by his own words and others’ observations, continue to resonate as lessons in character and commitment.