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The Atlantic Cable, ready for shipment, Morden Wharf, East Greenwich, 1857. Creator: Unknown
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The Atlantic Cable, ready for shipment, Morden Wharf, East Greenwich, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The Atlantic Cable, ready for shipment, Morden Wharf, East Greenwich, [London], 1857. The core is conveyed to [Glass, Elliott, and Co.'s works at] East Greenwich upon large reels, each containing rather more than a mile of wire, and there placed on standards in a lower floor of the factory, the reels being so arranged as to allow of the wire being readily drawn off. Thence it passes into an upper floor, where are the machines for serving it with a thick covering of hemp, well saturated with a mixture of tar and pitch...After passing through a tank containing tar and pitch in certain proportions, and maintained at an even temperature, it is laid in large coils ready for delivery on board ship...there is every probability of...the entire length of 2500 miles - being completed early in May next'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857
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Media ID 36336546
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Atlantic Telegraph Company Cable Communication Copper Greenwich London England Telecommunication Telecommunications Telegraph Thames Trans Atlantic Transatlantic Gutta Percha Insulated Insulation Wood Engraving
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This image, hailing from the annals of the 19th century, depicts the Atlantic Cable, ready for shipment at Morden Wharf in East Greenwich, London, in 1857. The core of the cable, consisting of several miles of copper wires, is seen being conveyed to Glass, Elliott, and Co.'s works on large reels. The reels are arranged in a lower floor of the factory, allowing for the wire to be easily drawn off. The cable then passes into an upper floor, where it is covered with hemp, saturated with a mixture of tar and pitch for insulation. After passing through a tank containing tar and pitch, the cable is coiled up in large quantities, ready for delivery on board ship. The cable, with a length of 2500 miles, was expected to be completed by early May of the following year. This photograph, taken from the pages of the Illustrated London News, offers a fascinating glimpse into the industrial process of producing the Atlantic Cable during the Victorian era. The intricate machinery, the use of materials such as copper, gutta-percha, and hemp, and the labor-intensive process of insulating the cable, all contribute to the sense of wonder and innovation that characterized this technological marvel of the time. The image also highlights the importance of communication and the role it played in connecting the world, as the Atlantic Cable was instrumental in establishing the first transatlantic telegraph line. This wood engraving, with its intricate details and tonal range, is a testament to the skill of the engraver and the power of the photographic medium to capture the essence of a historical moment. It is a reminder of the past, and a reminder of the incredible advancements that have shaped our world.
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