From Experiment to Relic
From Experiment to Relic: The Transitional Identity of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable and the Creation of Cable Communities through Submarine Cable Collections Kathleen McIlvenna Institute of Historical Research Student No. 1044141 Experiment to Relic Kathleen McIlvenna Contents List of Illustrations 2 Acknowledgments 3 1. Introduction 4 2. Launching the Atlantic Cable: a Great Experiment 13 3. Celebrating the Atlantic Cable: a Great Achievement 20 4. Commemorating the Atlantic cable: becoming a Maritime Relic 34 5. Conclusion 46 Bibliography 48 1 From Experiment to Relic Kathleen McIlvenna List of Illustrations Cover Page: Top Row, right to left: Cable Sections from the Atlantic Cable, 1858 (© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, UK, Objects AAB0114 & AAB0113); Nautilus Shell celebrating the laying of the Atlantic Cable, 1866, (© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, UK, Object ZBA448) and Submarine Cable Presentation Box of sections laid between Falmouth, Vigo and Lisbon, 1871 (© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, UK, Object AAB0151). Bottom Row, right to left: Blue Ceramic Jug fashioned in the shape of a submarine telegraph cable to celebration the laying of the Atlantic Cable, 1866, (© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, UK, Object ZBA4383); ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ lithograph celebrating the laying of the Atlantic Cable, 1866, (© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, UK, Object PAG8263) and Piece of submarine telegraph cable (laid 1873, recovered 1906) encrusted with marine growth, (Copyright held by Science and Society Picture Library, Science Museum Object 1985-1875). Fig 1. Imperial Institute, South Kensington, (Victorian Web website http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/feist/05.html (31 August 2011 13:00)). Fig 2. Illustrated London News article depicting the Anglo-French cable, (Illustrated London News 27 Sept 1851, Issue 519, p.
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