April 24, 2012

To many, the cable ships Minia and Mackay-Bennett are only associated with Titanic's disaster through their much publicized role in recovering bodies. Largely forgotten was the primary purpose of cable ships--ensuring the successful operation of the undersea telegraph cables which provided vital communication between Europe, North America and the Caribbean.

Beginning in the mid-1800s, Halifax and Dartmouth were the operational cable ship bases of three of the world’s major telegraph companies. Incredibly, the officers and men of these ships spent weeks at sea routinely locating and repairing damaged cable which lay miles beneath the ocean surface.

Their professionalism and legendary seamanship was hard earned by their many years spent on the harsh and unforgiving North Atlantic.

Join Marven Moore, Curator Emeritus, Maritime Museum, as he presents an illustrated talk on the largely forgotten service that called Halifax its home port for almost a century.

This free talk is at 7:30 pm with donations to Feed Nova Scotia appreciated. Visitors can also view the special temporary exhibit, Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax and Titanic to the World until November 4, 2012.

Admission
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