CS Alert
The first Cableship "CS Alert" was originally named "Lady Carmichael".
Built by A. McMillan and Son of Dumbarton for the Submarine Telegraph Company.
Launched on 6 March 1871.
She was a small paddle steamer fitted with disconnecting paddle-wheels. The bow sheaves were carried on oak beams on the forecastle head and her displacement was 760 tons.
The cable-handling gear was built by Thames Iron Works, designed by W. B. Esson.
1889 She was purchased by the Post Office from the Submarine Telegraph Co
1894 she was formally re-named "Alert".
After being employed on the maintenance of submarine cables across the Straits of Dover, she was eventually sold out of service in 1915.
During the First World War the number of vessels required to upkeep and maintain the submarine cables had been increasing. In anticipation of this the Post Office had already prepared plans and specifications to replace the first "Alert". However, because the cableship Monarch was sunk before the "Alert" was sold, the proposed new ship was subsequently named "Monarch".
1918 The second cable ship bearing the name "Alert" was brought into service.