Galvanometer Used to Receive Queen Victoria's Message to President James Buchanan Over the First Transatlantic Cable, 1858
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A galvanometer is an instrument that detects and measures electric current. On August 16, 1858, this device was used by President James Buchanan to receive the first public message sent across the transatlantic cable. The message was sent by Queen Victoria to celebrate "a link between nations." It was 98 words long--and took 16.5 hours to transmit.
A galvanometer is an instrument that detects and measures electric current. On August 16, 1858, this device was used by President James Buchanan to receive the first public message sent across the transatlantic cable. The message was sent by Queen Victoria to celebrate "a link between nations." It was 98 words long--and took 16.5 hours to transmit.
Artifact
Galvanometer
Date Made
1858
Subject Date
16 August 1858
Creators
Atlantic Telegraph Company (Limited)
Place of Creation
United Kingdom, England, London
Creator Notes
Made by Henry Moore in London, England for the Atlantic Telegraph Company.
Keywords
Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador
Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, 1819-1901
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
34.44.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Glass (Material)
Brass (Alloy)
Dimensions
Height: 11.5 in
Width: 8.5 in
Length: 8.5 in
Inscriptions
Inscribed on the silver-plated portion of the face of the instrument: THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH / COMPANY / H. MOORE MAKER / LONDON Inscribed on the face in area stripped of silver plating: THE MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (JAMES BUCHANAN) WAS RECEIVED ON THIS INSTRUMENT IN AUGUST 1858 Inscribed in the brass on verso of instrument: Upon this GALVANOMETER nearly the whole of the messages sent from VALENTIA through the ATLANTIC CABLE to NEWFOUNDLAND were received, and were read there on at Newfoundland in August and September 1858, Mr J.C. Laws being the Company's Electrician in Newsfoundland and Mr. George Saward being the Secretary to the Company at that date. Inscribed plate on underside of case: Bonded U.S. Customs/ Detroit Entry/ Permanant Exhibition #1 / Jan. 16 1934 / Edison Institute
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