Broome to Java Submarine Telegraph Cable
The first submarine cable to Australia was laid in 1872 from Banjoewangie (at the Eastern end of the island of Java) to Port Darwin where it connected with the overland telegraph to Adelaide. A second cable following the same route was laid in 1880.
Due to frequent breaks from volcanic activity, it was decided to lay a third cable from Banjoewangie to Broome and connect with the Western Australian telegraph to Perth and then via the East West Telegraph to Adelaide.
The 1,650km cable from Banjoewangie to Broome was laid for the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company. Cable laying was contracted to the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, using the SS Seine.
The supervising Engineers were Clarke, Forde and Taylor. The operation took ten days and the cable came ashore on the 26th February 1889, hence the name Cable Beach.
.jpg)
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Historic Engineering Marker (HEM) |
| Award Date | 15 September 2006 |
| Prominent People | Sir John Pender, Sir Frederick Napier Broome, Lord Knutsford, Sir Malcolm Fraser |
| Nomination Document | Available here |
| Ceremony Booklet | Available here |
| Interpretation Panel | None installed. |
