South Australia - Colonial: 1856 - 1900.
The telegraph lines down the Yorke Peninsula.
Reasons underlying the last consideration are outlined elsewhere.

Extension of the telegraph to the Yorke Peninsula and extending the line down south can be reviewed in five parts:

  1. the construction of line from Auburn to Kadina (1862);
  2. the lines to Wallaroo (1863) and Moonta;
  3. the line to Edithburgh (1876);
  4. the broadening the scope of the telegraph lines south - Yorketown and the other areas.
  5. the Lighthouses;
  6. a ship wreck and some public stupidity;

A story about the Yorketown Telegraph Master - Mr. E. H. Matthews - is also included.

 

1. Opening the Peninsula - line to Kadina.

Construction of the very important line of telegraph from Auburn to Kadina was critical to opening up th Yorke Peninsula both economically and socially, The construction was completed in 1862. Full details are provided elsewhere for the branch off the northern line leading from Auburn leading to Kadina.

2. The telegraph line from Kadina through Wallaroo to Moonta.

Construction of the line from Auburn to Kadina probably began in the first half of 1861. The House of Assembly had approved the expenditure on 5 August 1861.The Auburn-Kadina telegraph line was completed on 5 September 1862.

On 2 September 1862, the House of Assembly debated the funding for a telegraph line from Kadina to Wallaroo. It was a heated debate with strong views expressed for and against the motion. Many members disagreed with funding the cost from Loan funds. Others thought the cost of £500 was too high for a five mile line - even if it did hide the cost of constructing a Post and Telegraph Office.

Kadina
Kadina (Taylor Street) in the late 1800s
Mr. Sutherland opposed the funding:

"because the extension of the telegraph would not tend to development of the country. Telegraphs were no doubt a luxury". Mr. Kingston also opposed the motion and pointed out that "telegraphs had lost the Colony £300 in 1861. He went on to say "Hon. Members seemed to think that telegraphs would develop the resources of the country but he did not see this. Would it cause more copper to be raised from the mines? It might be that telegraphs were good for the trade of the place or in keeping up individual correspondence; and they might be useful for inviting a friend to dinner; but they did not in any way benefit industrial pursuits. If the money was spent in roads they would be able to cart the ore to a shipping place and that would be a benefit".

Mr. Blyth asserted that "the natural highway to Wallaroo from Adelaide was by water and that by extending the telegraph from Wallaroo to Kadina, communication with Kadina would be opened up" (and that was a good thing). A number of other speakers pointed out the various benefits which would accrue by funding telegraphic construction in any way.

Finally the motion was put to the House but the funding was refused 15-13.

By January 1863, posts were being laid down at intervals from Kadina to Wallaroo Bay and it was hoped line completion could be effected within a couple of months.

"The brig Harriet Hope is expected to arrive in the course of a few days from the Vasse with a cargo of timber consigned to Mr. W. C. Eland - a great portion of which consists of telegraph poles for the telegraphic extension lines to Moonta and to Port Augusta".
(Adelaide Observer 8 July 1865).

The first pole on the Wallaroo to Moonta line was raised into position on 6 November 1865:

"The spot of ground in which the pole was to be fixed is situate near the junction of the Moonta and Kadina line. Previously to the arrival of the company on the ground, a hole had been dug for the post and the post itself, which was of jarra wood, was lying on the ground ready for being lifted into its position.

About 4.30 p.m. Mr. Bower, with the assistance of several men, raised one end of the pole and placed the other end in the hole. Then, under the direction of Mr. Towler, Inspector of the Telegraphic line, earth was rammed and the pole was properly fixed in its place. Mr. Bower then made a few remarks and referred in eloquent terms to the advantages which would result to the district from the erection of the Moonta line of telegraph.

Mr. Sparkman proposed three cheers for Mr. Bower, which was given enthusiastically. Captain France proposed three cheers for Mr. Towler, referring in eulogistic terms to that gentleman's services. Three cheers were accordingly given. Mr. Towler briefly responded. The company then dispersed".
(South Australian Advertiser 9 November 1865).

In the early 1870s, communications between Kadina and both Wallaroo and Port Wakefield became focussed on a tramway from Auburn and Hoyleton through Balaklava to Port Wakefield and Wallaroo. Part of those community discussions involved the possibility of constructing a telegraph line between Auburn and Hoyleton. This was achieved in December 1873.
3. The line to Edithburg.

After the Moonta connection, there was an 11 year halt on construction along the Yorke Peninsula - partly because there were few economic or social reasons to extend it.

There was also continuing discussion on which strategy to use to establish telegraphic communication with Kangaroo Island.

In 1873 however, a port was opened at Edithburg - and a significant jetty built - from which salt, gypsum and lime were exported to Adelaide.

Edithburg
Edithburg with sailing ships at the jetty. About 1890.
Given that economic imperative as well as the increased number of people moving to the various areas along the Yorke Peninsula, a line of telegraph became essential.

The Adelaide Chronicle of 14 March 1874 reported on a public meeting held at Troubridge on 5 March to advocate the establishment of telegraph communication with the southern areas:

"Mr. John Davey presided. Mr. J. Caldwell senior remarked on the desirability of having a pilot station and lighthouse erected at Cape Spencer. If such a scheme were carried out, it would be found necessary to connect Cape Spencer by wire with Port Adelaide. It would then be of the greatest importance to connect the southern portion of Yorke's Peninsula with the metropolis via Port Wakefield or Moonta. The line could pass through settled districts from north to south and would benefit a large tract of country and no doubt produce a good return, bearing in view the daily increasing population and the rising importance of Edithburgh. A reason why the Government should erect the line was the quick communication which would be secured in cases of accident - like the stranding of the Iron King. In rough weather such an affair might prove very serious as no other means of informing the authorities at Port Adelaide are available. Sailing vessels and lives might be lost for want of quick communication. He moved that telegraphic communication is greatly required.

Mr. R. McLeod seconded. If a pilot station or lighthouse were to be erected at Cape Spencer, it would, he remarked, be of great value to the shipping community if connected by wire with Port Adelaide. Great benefit had been conferred on agriculturists by the overland line and, on a smaller scale, the settlers on Yorke's Peninsula would receive advantage from the projected work. They could ascertain the state of the produce market regularly by wire.

Mr. J. Caldwell Jun. supported the motion. The benefit of the desired line ought, he thought, to be patent to all, especially as in case of accidents a medical man could be sent for swiftly and lives might be saved. The present mode of communication was unsatisfactory. If the telegraph were established, they could be informed as soon as a vessel cleared from Port Adelaide for Edithburgh and would be prepared when it arrived.

Mr. T. Gottschalck referred to the daily increasing traffic of the southern portion of Yorke's Peninsula and the large quantities of produce shipped from Edithburgh and other places. These alone would be inducement enough, he believed, for the Government to comply with the wishes of the residents. The proposition was carried. Mr. J. Boutell moved that the Government should be petitioned to extend the telegraph line from Port Wakefield to the southern portion of Yorke's Peninsula. He remarked that the route proposed would pass Yorke Valley, Oyster Bay, Dalrymple, Ramsay and Melville. The population of these districts was daily increasing and no doubt in time valuable discoveries of copper would be made along the line. This would tend to make the line payable as well as beneficial to a large portion of the community.

Mr. Algie supported. He contended that the Government would be compelled to arrange for another lighthouse, they having in view the heavy and always increasing trade from or to Port Pirie. All the vessels trading to that place and Wallaroo had to round Cape Spencer, the Althorpes, and Wedge Island, and craft could be sighted either from Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island, or at Cape Spencer, so the point must become important. A consideration of all the reasons stated would doubtless secure a satisfactory result, and urgent steps ought to be taken to carry the project into effect. Carried".

Mr. Knuckey commenced laying the telegraph line down the Peninsula to Cape Spencer in the second half of February 1875.

The line to Edithburg was opened on 17 September 1876. Edithburg was to become the third busiest port in South Australia. On 18 March 1876, the Adelaide Observer (p.5) reported: "The residents (of Edithburg) have been anxiously waiting to see poles landed, the Government having promised on various occasions to get the line from Moonta completed forthwith. It is difficult to understand what is delaying the necessary erection. Inconvenience has been caused this season by the non-construction of the line and means ought to be taken to carry on the work as the rapidly increasing trade should be an ample inducement to push on what been promised so long".

 

4. Broading the scope of the line down the Yorke Peninsula.

About the time the Overland Telegraph line was being completed, Parliament was beginning discussions on additional lines of importance to the Colony. These discussions centered on a line to Kangaroo Island and the larger issue of a line opening up Investigator Strait (to the north of Kangaroo Island).

After the line had reached Warooka (1879) on the south-west coast of the Yorke Peninsula and Troubridge Lighthouse (1882) off the south-east coast, questions were again asked about the best strategy for the extension of lines to Kangaroo Island and to the smaller islands near Cape Spencer. One plan was to extend the line from Warooka to Cape Spencer and then by submarine cable to Althorpe Island and thence to Kangaroo Island.

The major advantage of this proposal was that Althorpe Island, where there was an operational Lighthouse, could be used to monitor shipping as it entered or left Spencer Gulf. Most of that shipping was centered on Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

In the years following the opening of the line to Edithburg in 1876, Telegraph Offices were opened along the route:


View of Port Victor(ia) in 1880.
Scanned from Frearson's Monthly Illustrated reproduced in Adelaide News of 1 October 1880.

Both Ardrossan and Port Victoria were ports from which the produce of the local area could be shipped - from Ardrosan to Adelaide and from Port Victoria to England.

Full details about the Kangaroo Island telegraph are provided elsewhere.

 

5. The Lighthouses.

Three Lighthouses were built on or near the Yorke Peninsula:

  1. Troubridge Island;
  2. Althorpe Lighthouse;
  3. Cape Spencer.

Troubridge Island.

A cable to Troubridge Lighthouse was laid in September 1882 and telegraphic communication initiated soon after.

"On Friday night the Governor Musgrave left the Semaphore, having on board the Treasurer, the Minister of Education, the Superintendent of Telegraphs, the President of the Marine Board, and one or two other gentlemen, and having in tow Jagoes steam launch, the Derwent and a barge containing cable intended for the deep sea between Yorke's Peninsula and Troubridge Lighthouse. The weather was delightfully fine, and the run over occupied a few hours, the steamer being lashed alongside the Edithburgh Jetty early on Saturday morning.

At the first streak of dawn, Mr. Todd and Mr. Unbehaum of the Telegraph Department went ashore to fix the site at which the cable is to enter the water. A spot about a hundred yards to the west of the jetty road was selected, and soon a gang of workmen were engaged carrying the land wire to this position. ...

By 3 o'clock, the connection between the land wire and the cable had been completed, and the Governor Musgrave slowly steamed away for the lighthouse, drawing after it the barge in which had been carefully coiled the five miles of wire necessary to make good the connection between the lonely residents on the sandy islet and the mainland. This cable, which forms part of that purchased six or seven years ago for the Cape Jervis to Kingscote service, has been lying half buried in sand at the Semaphore. The barge in which it had been placed also has a history inasmuch as it was used during the laying operations conducted by the officers of the Edinburgh. As the result proved, the iron is still in admirable condition.

The work of paying it out proceeded at the rate of about two miles an hour, the coil being gradually unwound by means of rollers, six of which had been fixed in the barge. Five or six men were kept employed paying out the cable and the work proceeded from first to last without a hitch. Mr. Todd and Mr. Unbehaum superintended operations upon the barge, and tested the wire as it went out by means of a galvanometer. As the wire was insulated at the shore end, it was easy to communicate with the people there, and ever and anon, by attaching the telephone, messages from the land indicating a perfect circuit were obtained.

Now and then the deflection of the needle seemed to indicate that the current had been carried to earth, and that consequently a fault had made its appearance; but these all proved false alarms. At one point the intensest anxiety prevailed owing to the cable having had to be spliced but the joint went through without obstruction and the galvanometer still showed that the line was without interruption.

As the marine procession neared the shoals upon Troubridge, the Governor Musgrave detached herself and the Derwent took up the towing but she had not gone many hundred yards before the stirring of the sand from the bottom showed that she had gone as far as it was safe for her to proceed and she also cast off. An attempt was then made to haul the barge forward by means of two fully manned boats but this failed and so a line was run out and fastened to a kedge anchor. The barge was then hauled forward a hundred yards or more, but by this time the tide was low. Just before sundown the work had to be relinquished for the night. Several men from the Government Dockyard who had assisted most efficiently in paying out cable remained on board all night. The rest of the workmen with the members of the party who had taken the greatest interest in the work throughout, went on board the Musgrave, which lay alongside the shoal in perfectly smooth water.

Early next morning operations were resumed at low tide, and the cable was carried to the Lighthouse - for the greater part of the distance upon dry land. The whole of the work was accomplished in splendid style, the cable being laid almost in a bee-line between the two termini in water varying from a few feet to six or seven fathoms. The weather was most favourable throughout for the performance of the delicate work of laying and testing the cable. The connection was fully established, and Edithburgh was spoken from the lighthouse on Sunday.

It is not intended to establish telegraphic communication at present but the lighthouse people will be brought into contact with the outer world by means of the telephone. The cost of the cable and the instruments will be something short of £2,000. Mr. Todd and his competent assistant are to be congratulated upon the success of their operations. The party during the trip over the island was accompanied by Mr. E. Gower, S.M., who returned to the mainland early on Sunday morning.

The Governor Musgrave visits Kingscote and Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and returns via Edithburgh, getting back to Adelaide late to-night or early on Tuesday morning".

South Australian Register 16 October 1882, p. 6.

The Althorpes

At the end of the coast further in the south-west direction is Althorpes Island which also had a lighthouse but it is mostly a Conservation Island. A cable was laid to the island and telegraphic communication began on 29 September 1911. The office closed on 1 June 1920.

"The telegraphic communication which has been long recommended with the Althorpes in the interests of the light keepers and of the defences of the colony will shortly be established.

The cable has arrived in the ship Orissa and will probably be discharged today. The Telegraph Department has employed steam-hopper barge No. 1 to lay the cable from Althorpes to Cape Spencer on Yorke's Peninsula. Captain Hay and Mr. Warner are fitting up the barge at the Government Dockyard. A false bottom is being placed over the hopper to receive the cable and a derrick is being constructed with sheaves coming on to the deck so as to pay it out. In order to regulate the movements of the cable, an iron frame has been put together with a resistance sheave and lever to check the speed with which it runs out. After passing through this frame, the cable will then pass over the bracket and bit at the stern.

There is about 8 miles of cabling and it weighs 80 tons. It has been brought out in a tank about 25 feet long and 5 feet high. The Stevedoring Company has to discharge the cable into the barge under the supervision of the Telegraph Department. The Steamer Musgrave will accompany the barge on her mission which must be accomplished in fine weather".
South Australian Register, 23 February 1886, p. 5.

"Owing to the unsuitableness of the termination of the landline at Cape Spencer for the landing of the cable to Althorpes Island, the authorities found it necessary to carry the line some half-mile away. This caused an interval between the cable and the land line. On Sunday last the interval was bridged over by placing a line along the ground, but of course it would not do for the line to be allowed to remain there, 88 telegraph poles have been sent down by the department to allow the line to be carried on in the usual manner. It is expected this will be done by the end of the week. Until the poles are erected the line will not be available for general use".
South Australian Register 17 March 1886.

Cape Spencer.

The Cape Spencer lighthouse is situated on the south western point of the Yorke Peninsula. It was opened as a telegraph and trunk line telephone office on 1 December 1922. In 1928 the name was changed to Inneston.

 

6. A ship wreck and some public stupidity.

TELEGRAPHIC ANNOYANCES.

The Adelaide Advertiser,
Thursday 4 February 1909.

"While the public of South Australia were waiting on Tuesday and Wednesday with a keen appetite for news of the great wreck off Troubridge on Sunday night, Mr. W. E. Blacker, the telegraph operator at Edithburgh, was wrestling with a big problem. The special representatives of the Adelaide press were on the scene of the disaster on Monday evening and at 10.45 p.m. had lodged the first of a long succession of heavy telegraphic messages but unfortunately the line refused duty.

The operator, who had been on duty all through Sunday night, patiently tried to get Adelaide on the wire but without success until late in the morning when he worked his messages through Maitland and Yorketown. It was all too late however for the morning papers, so residents in the country were denied the news for another day.

On Tuesday the line from Edithburgh was still working badly and at night practically broke down again. Important telegrams detailing the evidence at the inquest were lodged before 6 p.m. and at 11 p.m. these were untouched as well as all the other messages which had accumulated since that hour. Shortly afterwards, the line became available again but it was working so unsatisfactorily that only meagre details came through in time for the morning editions.

When the Deputy Postmaster-General (Mr. R. W. M. Waddy) was seen on Wednesday, he said he had been apprised of and regretted the inconvenience caused. "There is only one line to Edithburgh" he added "and I think the press representatives gave the operator about 15 hours work - rather much for a single line. Added to that is the fact that there was an intermittent fault between Edithburgh and Yorketown.

Afterwards it was found that some foolish people had thrown pieces of fencing wire across the telegraph line. These bits of wire swayed to and fro against the iron pole and interrupted and delayed telegraphic work. It is a senseless thing for people to interfere with the telegraph line, especially in the country. I am sure Mr. Blacker at Edithburgh and Mr. Hopewell at Yorketown did all they possibly could to facilitate the press messages but unfortunately the line was interfered with".

 

A remarkable story - Mr. E. H. Matthews.

Mr. E. H. Matthews, the Post and Telegraph Master at Yorketown, is one of the oldest officials in that branch of the Government service. He has occupied positions on the Peninsula for over 30 years in addition to former services in other districts.

Notwithstanding his various official duties, this gentleman finds time to indulge in his hobby of scientific research and assuredly he is a most ardent student. In his quest for specimens of nature's handiwork — both useful or ornamental — Mr. Matthews spares neither time nor money and his large and valuable collection of minerals, shells and other curiosities affords ample testimony that his efforts have not been in vain.

Although an enthusiastic collector of specimens for many years and the possessor of such a varied assortment of interesting material, Mr. Matthews does not force himself on public notice. But it may safely be asserted that any visitor to Yorketown of a scientific turn of mind may obtain a wealth of information by calling on this gentleman during his leisure hours. Certainly there is no one better qualified to give reliable facts and data in reference to the resources of southern Yorke's Peninsula than Mr. Matthews and he possesses ample testimony that careful study has been devoted by him to matters closely associated with the district.

To the subject of ocean currents, he has devoted attention. In connection therewith, he relates the following remarkable incident:

In 1876 the captain of a vessel, then trading out of Port Adelaide, decided to sell his vessel and purchase another which he considered would be more suitable for the China tea trade in which he was engaged. Having concluded his bargain, he sailed for Canton leaving his wife and family at Port Adelaide.

From that time no tidings came to hand, notwithstanding every effort was made to discover what had become of him. Mr. Matthews, who was an intimate friend of the family and knew all the particulars of the case, shortly afterwards received an appointment to Stansbury and, whilst there, received intimation from a man who had picked up a bottle in Marion Bay at the south-eastern end of the Peninsula which appeared to contain a document of some kind.

The bottle and contents were forwarded to Mr. Matthews who found it to enclose an old envelope on which was scrawled

"Am writing this, clinging to the bottom of schooner Engelbert, Capt. Jenkins, of Port Adelaide. Schooner struck by typhoon 30 miles from Amsterdam Island. All drowned but myself. Signed"

This happened over two years from the date on which the vessel sailed. It was the first and only news as to the fate of Capt. Jenkins and his crew and it was received in this message from the sea after following the ocean drift for thousands of miles. The bottle was at length thrown up almost at the feet of the very man who knew most about the unfortunate affair. Mr. Matthews lost no time in acquainting Capt. Jenkins's relatives with the information. As an example of ocean drift, apart from its remarkable coincidence, this event is worthy of record. Mr. Matthews has become the possessor of several bottles and enclosures picked up on the beach between Stansbury and the bay referred to.

Adelaide Observer, 29 November 1902.