Isle of Man Telegraph Co
1859 'Our readers are aware that a company was some mouths ago formed the Isle of Man for the purpose of securing telegraph communication with England, and the capital necessary to the enterprise was, believe, mainly subscribed in the island. The cable was successfully on Friday last. It was constructed by Messrs. Glass, Elliott and Co., and measured 35 miles in length but it was only found necessary to pay out 33.5 miles.'[1]
1859 'The submarine cable, which stretches from the Isle Man (about two miles to the south the Point of Ayr) to St Bee’s Head, has been successfully relaid, and the communication again complete.'[2]
1861 'We regret to learn that the telegraphic communication between the Isle Man and England has been interrupted. Our readers are aware that the submarine cable stretches from the Point of Ayr, near Ramsey, to St. Bees Head. An official from the Electric Telegraph Company, which co-operates with the Isle of Man Company, has inspected the line from St. Bees, but from his report there is little doubt that a new wire must be laid down before the communication can be restored. An accident immediately after the cable was first laid absorbed a large portion of the capital of the company, and the present casualty must seriously interfere with the value the chares, if it do not break up company altogether...'[3]
1871 Taken over by the Post Office[4].
1886 'During the past mouth the advantage to the Island of having a three-wire cable, instead of the one formerly in use, with one wire only, has been fully demonstrated. Mr Isdale informs us that for weeks past a failure in electric currents necessitated frequent tests by Mr Richardson, the local inspector of telegraphs, which led to the conclusion that the cable had been seriously injured, probably by the wreckage which frequently abounded in Cornah Bay. During the above period one of the wires in the cable was constantly available for use between this Island and Manchester, or Liverpool. On Wednesday last the s.s. Monarch arrived at Cornah Bay, from Holyhead, with Mr D. Lumsden, electrical marine superintendent, and his officers on board. The shore end of the cable was raised at 12-50 p.m., and was successfully repaired and relaid at 3-5 p.m. The prompt and efficient manner in which the work was done reflects great credit on all concerned, the public not having been subjected to any serious inconvenience by the temporary interruption rendered necessary for the repairs.'[5]