Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 2 May 1866, CO 305:28, no. 5768, 362.
Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 2 May 1866, CO 305:28, no. 5768, 362.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (2).
No. 31, Miscellaneous
2nd May 1866
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the electric cable connecting
Vancouver Island with Washington Territory by way of San Juan, Lopez,
and Fidalgo Islands was successfully laid and communication opened onthe
the 24th April.
the 24th April.
I need not enlarge upon the importance of the fact of bringing this
remote possession of Her Majesty within twelve days of England.
There was great difficulty in procuring a vessel suited for this
service, and I therefore did not hesitate to make application to the
Senior Naval Officer on the Station (Captain Price; Her Majesty's
Ship "Scout") who readily permitted Her MajestysGunboat
Gunboat "Forward" to
ship the cable which was most successfully laid without accident of
any kind.
Gunboat "Forward" to
ship the cable which was most successfully laid without accident of
any kind.
I think Captain Price, and Lieutenant Fox, Commanding the "Forward"
entitled to great praise for the energy and ability they have
displayed on this (to both countries) most interesting occasion.
I enclose a copy of a letter from the Superintendent of the
California State Telegraph Company acknowledging the services
rendered by the "Forward."
I
I also transmit herewith some newspaper extracts and congratulatory
messages which you may desire to see.
Minutes by CO staff
Copy to Admiralty.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
R.R. Haines, Assistant Superintendent, California State
Telegraph Company, to Kennedy, 1 May 1866, expressing thanks for the
assistance rendered by the
Forward in laying the cable.
Newspaper clippings not on microfilm.
Other documents included in the file
