On the most crucial infrastructure works in 19th century Australia was the overland telegraph line connecting Darwin with Port Augusta and Adelaide. This connected with telegraph lines coming in from south-east Asia and enabled fast communication with Europe and especially Britain. It began around 1870 and was a major feat considering the horrendous terrain it had to cross and logistics of supply the equipment and constructing the line. It was at this point that Afghan camels and their cameleers were imported for the task, giving rise ultimately to large feral herds of camels in the centre once they were released from their construction work and proceeded to do what camels do. Afghans also stayed on and eventually gave their name to the train that now travels from Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs - the Ghan.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Overland_Telegraph_Line.
Construction of the line was allocated to people like Stuart and Todd both of whom are now commemorated by features such as the Stuart Highway and the Todd River in the Alice and, of course, the original name for Alice Springs - Stuart!
The Alice Springs telegraph station is now a museum commemorating the heroic construction task and ultimately the operation of the line. I'm glad I wasn't around then! The conditions would have been highly challenging cut off from anything resembling civilisation and in a dessert climate where summer temperatures nudge 40 C every day.
Bits and pieces of the technology.
The room showing the history of the construction.
Kitchen and class-room serving what was quite a large compound.
Bec and Max experimenting with the facilities.
A lovely ghost gum.
Yes, the signal went down the line with aid of en elementary form of electricity.
I'd never seen a camel saddle before this.
This looks slightly more luxurious, but a suspect that the camels would have given a more gentle ride over the very rough local roads.
AS
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Overland_Telegraph_Line.
Construction of the line was allocated to people like Stuart and Todd both of whom are now commemorated by features such as the Stuart Highway and the Todd River in the Alice and, of course, the original name for Alice Springs - Stuart!
The Alice Springs telegraph station is now a museum commemorating the heroic construction task and ultimately the operation of the line. I'm glad I wasn't around then! The conditions would have been highly challenging cut off from anything resembling civilisation and in a dessert climate where summer temperatures nudge 40 C every day.
Bits and pieces of the technology.
The room showing the history of the construction.
Kitchen and class-room serving what was quite a large compound.
Bec and Max experimenting with the facilities.
A lovely ghost gum.
Yes, the signal went down the line with aid of en elementary form of electricity.
I'd never seen a camel saddle before this.
This looks slightly more luxurious, but a suspect that the camels would have given a more gentle ride over the very rough local roads.
AS
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