Model of 'The Faraday' cable-laying ship made by Daniel Aldous
Object No. H2954
This is a model of the trans-Atlantic cable-laying ship the 'Faraday' which was especially designed to lay telegraph cable in the world's oceans. Beginning in 1874 and continuing for the next 50 years, the ship lay an estimated total of 50,000 nautical miles (93,000 km) of cable for Siemens Brothers, including several trans-Atlantic cables. This model, made between 1888 and 1907, is particularly significant because it was made by Daniel Aldous, an electrical mechanic, who served on board the 'Faraday' while undertaking its cable-laying duties. The full-size 'Faraday' was laid down in 1873 and launched in February 1874. She was 5,000 tons, 360 feet (109.7 m) long, 52 feet (15.8 m) in the beam and 30 feet (9.1 m) deep. Her interior featured three enormous iron tanks, for receiving 1,700 miles (2736 km) of cable, which were built into the body of the ship to greatly increase its structural strength. Two were 45 feet (13.7 m) in diameter and 30 feet (9.1 m) deep. She carried all the machinery required for laying cable as well as for grappling and recovering lost cable. The ship had a number of design features which were novel at the time. Both of her funnels were abreast of each other, thereby allowing the cable to be played out amidships. The gearing, fore and aft, for laying and picking up cables, was also obvious and the ship was lit throughout by electricity. The 'Faraday'proved to be a good sea-going vessel as she was capable of laying and recovering cables even in the worst weather.
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Summary
Object Statement
Cable-laying ship model, 'The Faraday', wood / metal / paint, made by Daniel Aldous, Australia, 1888-1907
Physical Description
Cable-laying ship model, 'The Faraday', wood / metal / paint, made by Daniel Aldous, Australia, 1888-1907
DIMENSIONS
Height
590 mm
Width
300 mm
Depth
970 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Mr Aldous was born in England at West Ham. He and his wife Eliza (nee Turner) and two sons arrived in Melbourne aboard the 'Orient' in December 1888. They appear on the electoral roll as living at Penshurst NSW in 1916. Eliza died in 1922 and Daniel died in 1927. (information supplied by Mr Malcolm Aldous, great grandson of Daniel Aldous.)
HISTORY
Notes
This cableship was laid down in 1873 and launched in February 1874. She is 5,000 tons register, 360 feet long, 52 feet beam and 30 feet deep. In her interior are three enormous iron tanks for recieving 1,700 miles of cable, which are so built into the body of the ship as to greatly add to the strength of the structure. Two are 45 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep. The third is somewhat smaller. She has on board a complete outfit of machinery for laying cables in the most efficient manner as well as for grappling and recovering lost cables. Many of the parts of her structure and apparatus showed considerable novelty of design at that time, among which may be mentioned the twin-screw-propeller. Another admirable arrangement is that both her funnels are ABREAST of each other thereby allowing the bale to be played out amidship. The gearing, fore and aft, for laying and picking up cables, is also conspicuous. She is lighted throughout by electricity and has proved herself to be a good sea-going vessel, and is capable of laying and recovering cables at all depths even in dirty weather.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1907
Acquisition Date
11 October 1907
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