The Territory’s key role in connecting Australia to the rest of the world 150 years ago has been celebrated with the unveiling of a new interpretive sign at Jervois Park, on the edge of Darwin Harbour.
The subsea telegraph cable, completed on 7 November 1871 revolutionised communications between Australia and the rest of the world, thereby boosting the country’s social and economic benefits.
The new signage commemorates the site (near the Deck Chair Cinema) where the cable was brought ashore from cable-laying ships and connected to a makeshift telegraph station in Darwin, then known as Palmerston.
The first cablegram from Banjoewangi (now Banyuwangi) to Darwin on 20 November 1871, announced that the then-Australian colonies were connected with Java and from there, to the rest of the world.
Sent in Morse Code, the message read:
“I have the honour to announce to you in the name of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company that we yesterday completed a perfect submarine cable, connecting your colonies with Java, the Mother Country and the Western world. May it long speak words of peace and reiterate ‘Advance Australia’.”
Visitors to the historic site will be now able to visualise men from the expedition hauling the cable ashore, by looking through a transparent sign featuring a photograph by Captain Sweet, who commanded the supply ship for the overland telegraph expedition.
The subsea telegraph cable was part of an extraordinary international system of telegraph cables, which included the Overland Telegraph Line – one of Australia’s most significant engineering achievements – that connected Darwin to Adelaide.
The original subsea telegraph cable can still be seen at low tide. There is another cable nearby that also dates back to the nineteenth century. The site where the two cables are located is a declared heritage place.
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Selena Uibo:
“The connection of the subsea cable to Darwin is one of the most significant events in the history of the Northern Territory and our modern nation.
“The international telegraph system was a communication revolution that connected Australia to the rest of the world.
“I am delighted that the Heritage Branch has taken the important step to commemorate the anniversary of the first cablegram with the unveiling of an interpretive sign so current and future generations can learn about this significant event.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby:
“The first telegraph message between Java and Darwin, via the newly laid subsea telegraph cable on 20 November 1871, was a historic day not only for Darwin but for the whole of Australia.
“It must have been incredibly exciting to receive that first cablegram from Java, knowing that it heralded a new, faster way of communicating with Britain and the Western world.
“This anniversary is not only a celebration of those who worked on the colossal task to bring the subsea cable to Darwin from across the oceans, but a tribute to John McDouall Stuart who explored unchartered country; and to Charles Todd who oversaw the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line to complete the communications link.”
