Transatlantic Cable Collection, 1858/1959

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Collection is open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Item [insert number and title], Transatlantic Cable Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
1.00 Linear Feet and 1 clamshell box boxes
Abstract:
Small collection of items related to the Atlantic Ocean: A framed segment of cable used in the first transatlantic telegraph connection, 1858; a document certifying the cable's authenticity; a photograph of the USCG ship Marmer, 1959 and an undated photograph of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's ship Discoverer.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Item [insert number and title], Transatlantic Cable Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The Transatlantic Cable Collection consists of four items: a framed segment of cable used in the first transatlantic telegraph connection, 1858; a document certifying the cable's authenticity; a photograph of the USCG ship Marmer, 1959; and an undated photograph of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's ship, Discoverer.

Biographical / historical:
Transatlantic Telegraph Connection Since the development of the first telegraph line in the United States in 1844 by Samuel F.B. Morse, telegraphic communication was gaining a stronghold around the world. In 1854 the idea to lay insulated telegraph cable across the floor of the Atlantic Ocean was concieved by American businessman and entrepreneur Cyrus West Field. After four unsuccessful attempts, the first transatlantic cable was laid on August 5, 1858 with American and British financing. The cable itself stretched "nearly 2,000 miles across the Atlantic at a depth often more than two miles." Eleven days later, U.S. President James Buchanan and England's Queen Victoria exchanged messages. Sadly the cable broke down three weeks later due to structrual weakness and poor current. The cable was not replaced till 1866.USCG Ship: The Marmer The Marmer was a coast and geodetic survey ship that studied ocean currents. The ship was originally named the Walter Wyman, but in 1957 it was renamed the Marmer in honor of Harry S. Marmer, who was Assistant Chief of the Division of Tides and Currents of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. The Marmer was in service from 1957-1968, until it was replaced by the NOAA ship Ferrel.NOAA Ship: The Discoverer The Discoverer was an ocean research vessel built by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which commissioned in October 1964 and delivered to the United States Government in December 1966. Over the years, Discoverer's missions included oceangraphic, meterological, and seismic research, as well as marine mammal observations. The Discoverer also proved cadet training for the California Maritime Academy and United States Naval Academy. The Discoverer was decommissioned on August 16, 1996 and is in reserve in the NOAA Pacific Fleet at Seattle. Sources: "Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships: Marmer."http://www.history.noaa.gov "Cyrus West Field." Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_West_Field "First transatlantic cable completed." This Day in History, August 5. History.com.http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-transatlantic-telegraph-cable-completed "NOAA Ship Discoverer: A Brief History."NOAAS Discoverer (R 102)." Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOAAS_Discoverer_%28R_102%29 "Transatlantic telegraph cable." Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_telegraph_cable Note written by Kathleen Smith
Acquisition information:

Provenance unknown

Gift. Accession #A2005-02

Arrangement:

The items in the Transatlantic Cable Collection are arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Transatlantic cables
Names:
Discoverer (Ship)
Marmer (Ship)