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Cape Race

Cape Race was the location for Newfoundlands first wireless communication station. This station was established a couple of years after the first transatlantic message was sent by Marconi from Signal Hill. Due to the Marconi Station Cape Race became a centre for reporting news around the world.

Lighthouse at Cape Race Newfoundland
Cape Race Lighthouse

(c) newfoundland pictures

 

In 1910 the New York Associated press had an office at Cape Race to relay their news stories from Britain to New York. Robert Huntson was the operator of the Cape Race station during the Titanic disaster and received a message from the Titanic. He took notes that later revealed at 10:25pm EST on April 14 the Titanic distress signal was heard. 10:35 The titanic called the Carpathia and said "we require immediate assistance." At 10:55 another message was picked up "Have struck iceberg and sinking." At 11:36 the Olympic contacted the Titanic and requested its coordinates. Titanic replied "We are putting women off in the boats." At 12:50 April 15 the Virginian told the station that it had lost contact with the Titanic.

In 1904 Newfoundlands first wireless station was established at Cape Race, then a second in 1909. Then a third in 1913 after the second burned. During the World Wars the allies used Cape Race to receive and intercept messages from up to 400 miles away. The war was reported by vessels that would contact Cape race then drop mail offshore, which contained news from around the world.

This is believed to have contributed to the numerous shipwrecks just off the shores of Cape Race. As a result of all the wrecks the British government built a reinforced concrete lighthouse, and used a 7-ton lens. Today the lighthouse is a National Historic Site.

There is a replica of the Marconi Station being constructed in time for the 2001 Marconi celebrations.

Cape Race a provincial historic site
Lighthouse at Cape Race

(c) newfoundland pictures

 

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