Orleans in Barnstable County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Long, Black Cable

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 22, 2012

1. The Long, Black Cable Marker

Inscription. The long, black cable has carried countless thousands of messages of international finance, personal hope and disaster, and news of war and peace.

Now it lies cold and dormant on the deep floor of the wide Atlantic.

If you stood here on November 16, 1879. you would have joined the thousands who cheered as the steamer CS Faraday delivered from France the last thread of a 3,000-mile transatlantic telegraph cable. It was one of the first cables to connect the United States with Europe. America could now communicate with Europe in minutes not weeks.

The small French Cable Hut in front of you housed the end of the transatlantic cable. Built in 1893 the hut was restored and moved back from the receding cliff in 2004. Remnants of the cable are displayed at Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham, Massachusetts.

For 24 years this and other cables brought messages and daily news to cities across America. Then, in 1903, six miles north of here Guglielmo Marconi ushered in a new age of communication by sending the first transatlantic wireless message. Cable technology remains in use today for some forms of communication.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications.

Location. 41° 51.582′ N, 69° 57.155′ W. Marker is

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in Orleans, Massachusetts, in Barnstable County. Marker is at the intersection of Cable Road and Nauset Light Beach Rd on Cable Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orleans MA 02653, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pushed Back by the Sea (a few steps from this marker); The Nauset Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); Nauset Beach Light Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeping the Light for 114 Years (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Sisters Lit the Way (approx. ¼ mile away); Doane Rock (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Outermost House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Journey of the Mayflower (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orleans.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 22, 2012

2. The Long, Black Cable Marker

You are here Reaching depths of 15,000 feet, the transatlantic telegraph cable stretched across the ocean floor. Messages received by cable were translated onto paper by the recorder (right) and then telegraphed overland.

Salt Pond Visitor Center in Cape Cod image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 22, 2012

3. Salt Pond Visitor Center in Cape Cod

50 Doane Rd Eastham, MA 02642

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 22, 2012

4. The Long, Black Cable Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 17, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3, 4. submitted on February 18, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.