TAT-1 TRANSATLANTIC CABLE , 1956

Section of a Transatlantic Cable TAT-1. It is of the coaxial type and was the first Transatlantic telephone cable laid in 1955 and 1956 between Gallanach Bay near Oban and Clarenville Newfoundland by the cable ship Monarch. Initially carrying 36 telephone channels, later increased to 48. The cable was last used in 1978 by which time it's capacity had risen to 72 channels using modern technology. This section was donated by Nortel (STC) with an attached note from their donator which reads, ''TAT-1 undersea cable. I rescued this section of cable from the System Planning Division when it broke up (sic). I didn't work on undersea cables myself & cannot give any information on it. I'm told that Geoff Farrinton might be able to help. Michael Beasley.''

Research has found that it is a TAT-1 Cable. The construction is as follows. A central copper conductor 3mm in diameter, surrounded by a tape of copper foil, this is insulated with a thick layer of Polyethylene, protected by two layers of copper return tapes covered with a cloth tape, two layers of Jute lining and then a steel armour cover protected by two further layers of Jute covering.

Nortel Collection

A1790