Sample of 1851 Dover-Calais telegraph cable, 1851

Specimen of Crampton's Dover and Calais telegraph cable, laid in 1851 and remained in use until 1875, made by R S Newall and Company, Millwall, London, England, 1851.

This is a section of the first successful cable laid between England and France, from Dover to Cape Gris-Nez. The first message was transmitted along the cable on 13 November 1851, and it remained in use, with minor repairs, until 1875. Thomas Crampton (1816-1888) was responsible for the design of the cable, as well as funding half the cost of manufacture. This sample was tested in 1885, and despite the 'kink', was found to still conduct electricity.