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Telegraph Line CentenaryPrint Page Print this page

15-August-2014
15-August-2014

Photographs supplied by Russell Byers

The plaque commemorates 100 years since the completion of the telegraph line to Thursday Island.

The line was explored and surveyed in 1883 by JR Bradford, Inspector of Lines and Mail Route Services from 1882 to 1895, later appointed Electrical Engineer for Queensland. The first section of the line, 200 miles from Laura to Mein, was completed on 13 October 1886, and the second section from Mein to Paterson (192½ miles) was completed on 18 August 1887.

The line consisted of one 400 pound to the mile galvanised iron wire mounted on the apex of a steel Oppenheimer pole imported from England. The cable from Paterson to Thursday Island was completed in November 1886, but the Thursday Island Telegraph Office did not open until 25 August 1887.

Location

Address:Peninsula Development Road, Musgrave Roadhouse, Musgrave, 4871
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -14.781211
Long: 143.503695
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Technology
Sub-Theme:Industry
Approx. Event Start Date:August-1887
Approx. Event End Date:August-1987

Dedication

Front Inscription

Old Musgrave Telegraph Station

Opened For Business 23 December 1886

Commemorating 100 years since line completed to Thursday Island

August 1887 - August 1987

Unveiled By R McKinnon  Chief General Manager Telecom Australia

 

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au