Portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1850

Portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1850 Portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1850

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Portion of first submarine cable laid between Dover and Calais in glass presentation tube with ivorine label, recovered in 1875, made by the Gutta Percha Company, Islington, 1850.

This cable consists of a single copper wire, with gutta-perch insulation, but no armouring. It was held down to the bed of the sea by lead weights attached at 100-yard (91.4 m) intervals. It was laid between Dover and Cap Gris Nez on 28 August 1850, and failed during the first night, reportedly because a fisherman had caught the cable with his anchor and, without realising what it was, cut it free. The cable was not expected to be a permanent success, and the action of the tides soon destroyed the insulating material. It was intended as a test of the possibility of the idea of laying a cable between England and France. Having proved that it was possible, a second cable was laid the following year in 1851.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1913-230
Materials:
gutta-percha, copper (alloy), glass and ivorine
Measurements:
Glass tube: 185 mm x 30 mm diameter, 2.2 kg
ivorine label: 50 mm x 155 mm .01 kg
type:
cable
credit:
Donated by the General Post Office

Parts

Portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1850

Portion of the first submarine cable laid between Dover and Calais, made by the Gutta Percha Company, Islington, London, England, 1850.

More

This cable consists of a single copper wire, with gutta-perch insulation, but no armouring. It was held down to the bed of the sea by lead weights attached at 100-yard (91.4 m) intervals. It was laid between Dover and Cap Gris Nez on 28 August 1850, and failed during the first night, reportedly because a fisherman had caught the cable with his anchor and, without realising what it was, cut it free. The cable was not expected to be a permanent success, and the action of the tides soon destroyed the insulating material. It was intended as a test of the possibility of the idea of laying a cable between England and France. Having proved that it was possible, a second cable was laid the following year in 1851.

Materials:
gutta-percha and copper (alloy)
Object Number:
1913-230 Pt1
type:
cable
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Glass tube containing a portion of the first submarine cable laid between Dover and Calais, 1875-1913

Glass tube containing a portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, plus screws for mounting, unknown maker, England, 1875-1913.

More

This cable consists of a single copper wire, with gutta-perch insulation, but no armouring. It was held down to the bed of the sea by lead weights attached at 100-yard (91.4 m) intervals. It was laid between Dover and Cap Gris Nez on 28 August 1850, and failed during the first night, reportedly because a fisherman had caught the cable with his anchor and, without realising what it was, cut it free. The cable was not expected to be a permanent success, and the action of the tides soon destroyed the insulating material. It was intended as a test of the possibility of the idea of laying a cable between England and France. Having proved that it was possible, a second cable was laid the following year in 1851.

Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 485 mm x 80 mm, .45 kg
Materials:
glass , copper (alloy) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1913-230 Pt2
type:
container
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Baseboard and mounts for portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1875-1913

Baseboard and mounts for portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1875-1913

Baseboard and mounts for portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, unknown maker, English, 1875-1913

Object Number:
1913-230 Pt3
type:
stand
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ivorine label for portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, 1875-1913

Ivorine label for portion of the first submarine cable between Dover and Calais, unknown maker, England, 1875-1913.

More

This cable consists of a single copper wire, with gutta-perch insulation, but no armouring. It was held down to the bed of the sea by lead weights attached at 100-yard (91.4 m) intervals. It was laid between Dover and Cap Gris Nez on 28 August 1850, and failed during the first night, reportedly because a fisherman had caught the cable with his anchor and, without realising what it was, cut it free. The cable was not expected to be a permanent success, and the action of the tides soon destroyed the insulating material. It was intended as a test of the possibility of the idea of laying a cable between England and France. Having proved that it was possible, a second cable was laid the following year in 1851.

Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 110 mm .016 kg
Materials:
ivorine
Object Number:
1913-230 Pt4
type:
label
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum