Lucas grapnel, 1888-1960
- Made:
- 1888-1960 in United Kingdom
- designer:
- Francis Robert Lucas
Lucas grapnel, designed by F R Lucas and manufactured by the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company Limited, British, 1888-1960.
This grapnel was used to raise cables from the seabed in order to carry out repairs. It used a mechanical pulley system to grip the cable so that it could be pulled up to the surface. Deep sea cables were repaired by cutting the cable on either side of the fault, then bringing the two ends to the surface, where a new portion of cable could be added to close the gap. It was designed by F R Lucas, who patented it in 1888, and was first used in 1891 to make repairs to the cable that connected Lisbon and Madeira.
Details
- Category:
- Telecommunications
- Object Number:
- 1974-213
- Materials:
- iron
- Measurements:
-
overall (jaws open & cable extended)): 2820 mm x 1060 mm x 450 mm,
overall (jaws closed): 1310 mm x 450 mm x 450 mm, 285 kg
- type:
- grapnel
- credit:
- Donated by STC plc