Drew Archival Library

DAL.MS.044

Collection Overview:

Title: French-Atlantic Cable Collection

Dates: 1869-1982 (Bulk: 1869)

Accession/Call Numbers: DAL.MS.044

Repository: Drew Archival Library

Quantity: 1 box

Language: English

Administrative Information:

Access Restrictions: The French-Atlantic Cable collection is open to researchers. There are no restricted materials in the collection.

Preferred form of citation: DAL.MS.044, The French-Atlantic Cable Collection in the Drew Archival Library.

Finding Aid Prepared By: Dylan Kornberg, February 2011

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of photographs, charts, documents, books and newspaper articles detailing the landing and usage of the French-Atlantic Cable in Duxbury, Massachusetts. It also includes documents relating to the telegraphing system of the British Empire in 1924.

Biographical Information:

On 23 July, 1869, a telegraph cable linking Brest, France to Duxbury, Massachusetts was officially established. Following its inaugural message sent to Emperor Napoleon III of France, a celebration was held to commemorate the landing of the cable on 27, July.  The cable would remain in active use from then until just after the Second World War. Also included in this collection are a couple of documents which detail the extent of the telegraphing system of the British Empire in 1924, the year of the British Empire Exhibition.

Organization:

Series I: Photographs

Series II: Charts and Documents

Series III: Books and Pamphlets

Series IV: Newspaper Articles

Item List:

Series I: Photographs (1869)

Folder 1:

Item 1: Photograph #1 of the landing of the French-Atlantic Cable at Duxbury, by M. Chandler, approx. 23-27 July, 1869.

Item 2: Photograph #4 of the landing of the French-Atlantic Cable at Duxbury, by M. Chandler, approx. 23-27 July, 1869.

Item 3: Photograph #2 of the landing of the French-Atlantic Cable at Duxbury, by M. Chandler, approx. 23-27 July, 1869 (2 copies).

Series II: Charts and Documents (Approximately 1924)

Folder1:

Item1: Map of the world, showing British Empire and Eastern Associated Telegraph Company’s Cable system (in red), 1924.

Item 2: Received telegraph sent around the world by King George V (R.I.), “I have this moment opened the British Empire Exhibition,” 1924.

Item 3: Depth Chart of Coast of MA, NH, ME, possibly showing the path of the French-Atlantic Cable (in orange). Date unknown.

Series III: Books and Pamphlets (1869-1982)

Folder1:

Item 1: “Landing of the French-Atlantic Cable at Duxbury,” Alfred Mudge and Sons, Boston, 1869.

Item 2: “The French-Atlantic Cable, 1869,” Duxbury Rural and  Historical Society, 1982.

Series IV: Newspaper Articles (1869-1982)

Folder 1:

Item 1: The Telegrapher, 17 July, 1869.

Item 2: The Telegrapher, 31 July, 1869.

Item 3: The Telegrapher, 14 August, 1869.

Item 4: The Telegrapher, 21 August, 1869.

Item 5: The Patriot Ledger, “Senator almost Halted Duxbury’s Big Moment,” approx. 1953.

Item 6: The Patriot Ledger, “When Atlantic Cables were Laid,” approx. 1953.

Item 7: Old Colony Memorial, “Summer Exhibit Features Trans-Atlantic Cable,” 20 May, 1982 (2 copies).