Pacific Cable Station and the road to Kingfisher!

Pacific Cable Station and the road to Kingfisher! - 

 In 1902, Norfolk Island took a monumental step into the modern age with the establishment of the Pacific Cable Station at Anson Bay. This facility marked the island's first telegraphic contact with the outside world, ending centuries of relative isolation. Prior to this development, communication with the mainland required physical transportation of messages by ship, a process that could take weeks or even months depending on shipping schedules and weather conditions.

The station was not merely a local improvement but a significant component in a grand imperial communication strategy. The British Empire, recognizing the strategic importance of rapid communication across its vast territories, had embarked on the ambitious project of creating what became known as the "All Red Line" – a global submarine telegraph network that connected British territories while touching only on British soil.

___________

The story of Norfolk Island's cable station intersects with the island's local history through the Bailey family, creating a fascinating narrative of how global telecommunications infrastructure became woven into the fabric of island life. 

George Bailey arrived on Norfolk Island in 1875, well before the cable station was established, coming to work as a blacksmith for the Melanesian Mission. 

After settling on the island, George Bailey fell in love with Emily Christian. Emily had arrived from Pitcairn Island in 1856 when she was just four years old, with the resettlement of the Pitcairn community to Norfolk Island. A 13 acre block of land was given to Emily Christian, as part of the 50 acre blocks of land originally granted to Pitcairn families. Once a daughter married she was given 12.5 acres and sons were given 50 acres.  Emily was one of the first Pitcairn women to marry an outsider and the land was listed under her husband’s name, George Bailey.  The lease was granted in 1877. George and Emily established their family home, named 'Greenacre,' where they raised six children, the youngest of whom was Tom Bailey.

Tom Bailey and his wife Edna Roberts were stationed in Fiji as part of the cable operations there. It was during this posting in Fiji that their daughter Marie was born in 1926, adding another branch to the family tree with direct connections to the cable operations.

Three years after Marie's birth, the family returned to Norfolk Island and took up residence in one of the Cable Board Houses at Anson Bay. Tom Bailey thus became part of the cable station community, contributing his skills to the operation of this vital communications link while raising his family on the island. Tom was described as a devoted father who shared his love of fishing and gardening with his daughter Marie, passing down practical skills and a deep connection to the island's natural environment.

Marie Bailey's story illustrates growing up in the technologically advanced environment of the cable station, Marie went on to pioneer horticultural beginnings, agricultural exports, her role as bean seed inspector, a member of the National Parks Committee, a forerunner in tourism, attaining sporting excellence and recognition, participation in the South Pacific Games, establishing the Pitcairn Settler’s Village, Cyclorama and Queen Victoria’s garden.

In next week’s episode we’ll explore more of the late Marie Bailey’s legacy. Marie adored her island home, and everything she did throughout her life, was to honour it and promote it. 

She would welcome visitors to the island

Sponsored by Baunti Tours www.bauntitours.com

> When booking with Baunti Tours, mention 'Podcast' to receive a 10% discount on tours.

email: res@baunti.nlk.nf

phone: (International +6723) 23693
To call from Australia: (02) 91368062

Transcript

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

>>> Audio: You have just heard a snippet of a performance by Alan Dyer in 1971 at the Paradise Hotel.

Pacific Cable Station and the road to Kingfisher!

In 1902, Norfolk Island took a monumental step into the modern age with the establishment of the Pacific Cable Station at Anson Bay. This facility marked the island's first telegraphic contact with the outside world, ending centuries of relative isolation. Prior to this development, communication with the mainland required physical transportation of messages by ship, a process that could take weeks or even months depending on shipping schedules and weather conditions.

The station was not merely a local improvement but a significant component in a grand imperial communication strategy. The British Empire, recognizing the strategic importance of rapid communication across its vast territories, had embarked on the ambitious project of creating what became known as the "All Red Line" – a global submarine telegraph network that connected British territories while touching only on British soil. This ensured secure communications that couldn't be intercepted or disrupted by rival powers. The "All Red Line" derived its name from the practice of colouring British territories red on maps of the era.

The driving force behind this visionary project was Sir Sandford Fleming, a remarkable figure who served as the Chief Engineer of the Northern Railway of Canada. Fleming's contributions to global communications extended beyond the cable network; he was also the inventor of the world standard-time system that continues to organise international timekeeping to this day. His advocacy for state-owned cable infrastructure represented a forward-thinking approach to telecommunications as a public utility rather than solely a commercial enterprise.

The strategic value of this secure communications network cannot be overstated. In an era of imperial competition and growing international tensions leading up to World War I, the ability to communicate rapidly and securely gave the British Empire a significant advantage in coordinating its global interests. Norfolk Island's position in the southwestern Pacific made it an ideal relay point between Australia, New Zealand, and points further east, including Canada and ultimately Great Britain.


The Cable Station community at Anson Bay necessitated the construction of a series of wooden buildings to accommodate up to forty personnel. This community grew their own vegetables, kept their own chickens and cows and enjoyed playing tennis, bowls and croquet.  Several of the young men married and settled permanently on the island.


The story of Norfolk Island's cable station intersects with the island's local history through the Bailey family, creating a fascinating narrative of how global telecommunications infrastructure became woven into the fabric of island life.

George Bailey arrived on Norfolk Island in 1875, well before the cable station was established, coming to work as a blacksmith for the Melanesian Mission. His arrival marked the beginning of a family legacy that would eventually connect directly to the Pacific Cable operations.

After settling on the island, George Bailey fell in love with Emily Christian. Emily had arrived from Pitcairn Island in 1856 when she was just four years old, with the resettlement of the Pitcairn community to Norfolk Island. This connection linked the Bailey family to the island's Pitcairn heritage. A 13 acre block of land was given to Emily Christian, as part of the 50 acre blocks of land originally granted to Pitcairn families. Once a daughter married she was given 12.5 acres and sons were given 50 acres.  Emily was one of the first Pitcairn women to marry an outsider and the land was listed under her husband’s name, George Bailey.  The lease was granted in 1877. George and Emily established their family home, named 'Greenacre,' where they raised six children, the youngest of whom was Tom Bailey.

Tom Bailey's life would eventually connect directly to the Pacific Cable Board when he and his wife Edna Roberts were stationed in Fiji as part of the cable operations there. This professional connection to the cable network highlights how the global telecommunications system created opportunities for island residents. It was during this posting in Fiji that their daughter Marie was born in 1926, adding another branch to the family tree with direct connections to the cable operations.

Three years after Marie's birth, the family returned to Norfolk Island and took up residence in one of the Cable Board Houses at Anson Bay. Tom Bailey thus became part of the cable station community, contributing his skills to the operation of this vital communications link while raising his family on the island. Tom was described as a devoted father who shared his love of fishing and gardening with his daughter Marie, passing down practical skills and a deep connection to the island's natural environment.

>>> Audio: Have a listen to an interview with Marie Bailey and George Smith as they share their memories of the Kingfisher, the road to get there and life at the Cable Station.


After six decades of continuous operation that spanned two world wars and tremendous technological change, the original Pacific Cable Station at Anson Bay closed its doors in 1962. This closure marked the end of an era in Norfolk Island's communications history, though not the end of the island's role in global telecommunications. By the time of its closure, authority for the telecommunications service had transferred from the Pacific Cable Board to the Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC).

The closure was driven primarily by technological evolution. The submarine cable technology that had been cutting-edge in 1902 had been gradually superseded by newer communication methods. By 1962, a high frequency radio system had become the primary means of communication, operating from a radio station established at Norfolk Island's airport. This shift from submarine cables to radio transmission represented a fundamental change in how the island connected to the outside world.

With the cable station no longer needed for its original purpose, the wooden buildings that had housed staff and equipment for decades were acquired by a hotel company. In a remarkable example of adaptive reuse, these structures were converted into the Kingfisher Airtel, transforming a telecommunications facility into tourist accommodation. This conversion reflected Norfolk Island's growing tourism industry, which was becoming increasingly important to the local economy as traditional industries and services changed.

>>> Audio: You have just heard a snippet of a performance by John Melhop entitled ‘Kingston’ as performed at the Kingfisher in 1968.

Unfortunately, this repurposing of the historic buildings was cut short when the Kingfisher Airtel was destroyed by fire in 1971. This devastating event erased most of the physical evidence of the original cable station community. Only two of the original buildings survived the fire, having been situated further north along Anson Bay Road. These surviving structures represent the last physical connection to the original cable station community and the dozens of personnel who lived and worked there during its sixty years of operation.

Oral histories from descendants of cable station workers and from individuals like Marie Bailey who grew up in the cable station community provide invaluable personal perspectives on this aspect of Norfolk Island's history. These narratives add human dimension to the technical history, highlighting how the global telecommunications infrastructure intersected with individual lives and family stories.

By the end of 1984 the laying of the new ANZCAN (Australia – New Zealand – Canada) submarine cable was complete and once again Anson Bay was selected as the cable landing site where three cable sections connected Sydney, Auckland and Suva.  The new cable station made from concrete blocks was built on the clifftop here facing the sea with a home for the technician behind. 

The evolution from telegraph to radio, then to advanced cable systems and eventually to modern digital communications parallels Norfolk Island's increasing integration with global systems and networks. Each technological advance has reduced the effective distance between Norfolk Island and the rest of the world, transforming what it means to live on a remote Pacific island.

The intertwining of personal and technological history demonstrates how global infrastructure projects like the Pacific Cable network affected individual lives and family histories, creating unexpected connections across generations.

Marie Bailey's story illustrates  growing up in the technologically advanced environment of the cable station, Marie went on to pioneer horticultural beginnings, agricultural exports, bean seed inspector, National Parks Committee, tourism, sporting excellence and recognition, South Pacific Games, Pitcairn Settler’s Village, Cyclorama and Queen Victoria’s garden.

In next week’s episode we’ll explore more of the late Marie Bailey’s legacy - as an optimist, an achiever, an enabler, a pioneer, as well as being incredibly generous. Marie adored her island home, and everything she did throughout her life, was to honour it and promote it. 

She would welcome visitors to the island explaining: You are now on an extraordinary island...It's different from any place you've been before.


Thanks for joining me this week!