Victoria - Colonial period: 1854-1900.
The Southern Coast lines.

From 1861, telegraph lines spreading throughout the Colony of Victoria were given names based on their general locality. Prior to that, the Telegraph Offices were simply listed in Annual Reports, Charts, etc alphabetically. In the first (1861) classification, the name " Southern or Heads Line" was given to that collection of Offices surrounding Port Phillip Bay from Williamstown south. These Offices were listed (in roughly geographical order) in Appendix C of the Annual Report for 1861 and comprised:

Cape Schank, Snapper Point, Sandridge,Later changed names to Mornington and Port Melbourne respectively. Williamstown, Geelong, Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

As developments occurred in all directions, the subsequent Southern Coast Line was significantly changed in terms of the Offices included:

This map leads to the Cape Otway line. This map leads to the Cowes line

 

1. Developments on the west side of Port Phillip Bay.

The first line in 1854-55 established the basis for lines on the west side of Port Phillip Bay. Stations on that line had been opened at Geelong and Queenscliff..

In 1861, the important Station at Point Lonsdale was opened in conjunction with the Lighthouse. Although a Telegraph Station was located nearby at Queenscliff, there was clearly also a need for a station further south on the opening of Port Phillip Bay. For example, on 8 October 1859, the Williamstown Chronicle reported a telegram sent from Queenscliffe describing the grounding of the Pilot Schooner Anomyma about one mile from Port Lonsdale. Stores were taken from her and, although there had been no loss of life, the Schooner was a total wreck. Communication had been indirect and slow.

In the Gazette of 8 January 1861, a tender was announced with Wm. Bolger of £207 for the construction of a line of telegraph between Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. A second tender was also awarded to Mr. Bolger for the construction of a Telegraph Office at Point Lonsdale for £636 4s. In The Star of 14 September 1861, "Mr. Bechervaise informs us that the electric telegraph signal and look-out station at Point Lonsdale will be opened to the public during the ensuing week".

In his Report for 1861, McGowan notes (p.13) that "The expenses of working and maintaining the two coast look-out stations at Cape Schanck and Point Lonsdale (and indeed the whole cost of maintaining the Cape Schanck line) should also be deducted from the general expense account, those branches having been established as one portion of the works for the defence of the Colony recommended by the military authorities when the whole subject was under discussion in 1859".

In the Geelong Advertiser of 3 October 1867, a reader had suggested, in relation to a fatal accident, that the man might have been saved by telegraphing along the train line to Geelong. Hence "the opening of a (railway) telegraph office would prove very beneficial. Our informant suggests that the office should be merely opened for the use of the station master in the event of such calamities, the station master being taught the use of the instruments. The cost to the country would be almost nominal". Perhaps that idea ultimately led to the opening of a Telegraph Office at Drysdale on the Railway Circuit in December 1879.

A Telegraph Office was opened in very fast time at Portarlington in January 1882. No sources can be located to explain why and why so fast but it may have been to do with the drilling and mining for coal at that place. Nevertheless the opening of that office seemed to spur the electors of Drysdale into further action. The Geelong Advertiser of 11 January 1882 noted that a deputation had met with the Postmaster-General "to urge that a Post and Telegraph Office should be established in the township of Drysdale. The telegraph line passes through Drysdale to Portarlington. It was urged that the district was a flourishing one, and that a Telegraph Station was also absolutely necessary, and that it could be well combined with the Post Office. The Minister promised to favorably consider the request at an early date". They were finally "granted their boon" and a Telegraph Station was opened in August 1882. It soon also served as a Repeater Station.

In June 1888, the community at Bellarine - between Drysdale and the Port, began agitating for the opening of a Telegraph Office in their community. In August 1888, it was reported that "the Hon. J. F. Levien brought under the notice of the Postmaster-General the necessity for finalising a telegraph office at East Bellarine. Mr Derham has agreed to give the office a trial, the Postmistress having consented to work it on the two-thirds system. As soon as the necessary arrangements are completed, the office will be opened".

Being only 4 km south west of Portarlington, the community finally had to settle for just the Post Office which had been established in January 1865.

 

2. Developments on the east side of Port Phillip Bay.

The Southern Coast line also opened on the east side of Port Phillip as an imperative to have a telegraph line to Cape Schanck.
That line, constructed in 1861, had an intermediate station at Snapper PointMornington.

A new line was also defined - referred to as the Sorrento Branch. It included those stations on the Mornington Peninsula west of the Southern Coast line.

Cape Schanck.

In the mid 1850s there was discussion about the need for several lighthouses - including one to be constructed at Cape Schanck. For example, in the Legislative Council on 2 May 1855:

Mr Cole, pursuant to notice, asked the Honorable the Colonial Secretary what has been done respecting the lighting of the coast, as recommended last session, and whether any provision is made for erecting a lighthouse on Cape Schanck.

The Colonial Secretary replied that additional lights on the coast, although desirable, were not, even at Cape Schanck, imperatively required.

It took until 17 July until the Barque Brighton was wrecked when, in a large storm, the ship ran aground and the Captain realised he had been steering into Port Western and, combined with the tides, he could not navigate around Cape Schanck.

In the Estimates for 1857 provided in December 1856, the sum of £6,000 was allocated for the construction of a lighthouse at Cape Schanck. In the Legislative Council of 23 June 1857, the cost for Cape Schanck had risen to £15,500.

The Star of 19 July 1859 stated that "Telegraphic communication will be forthwith established between Melbourne and Cape Schanck". This announcement seems to be way out of expectation.

In the Gazette of 8 January 1861, a tender was announced with Wm Bolger for £636 4s for the construction of a Telegraph Office at Cape Schanck. It appears that the line was completed in September 1861 and the office was opened.

 

Flinders

 

 

Mornington (Schnapper Point).

In the course of constructing the line of telegraph to Cape Schanck, it was decided to have a midway point between the Cape and Williamstown. Mornington was at that time the main social and economic location on the Mornington Peninsula. A 50 yard pier had been constructed into Port Phillip Bay in 1858. It was therefore the logical place to have a mid-way station.

The Star reported, on 23 March 1861, that telegraphic communication was then complete with Schnapper Point and that the station was available to the public.

 

Frankston.

The Telegraph Office opened at Frankston on 18 October 1880. A telegraph line to Dromana, Schnapper Point and the Quarantine Station at the Heads had passed through the township for some years but no telegraph office was opened at Frankston.

 

Dromana.

About 13 May 1874, the advertisement shown to the right was published in a variety of places.

The Weekly Times of 28 November 1874 reported that "A deputation, consisting of Professor Hearn, Mr. Stevenson and other residents at Dromana, was introduced by the Hon. Jas. Balfour and Mr. Purves, M.P., to the Postmaster-General, Tuesday, with the view of obtaining telegraphic communication for that place. They represented that the wire ran through the township and that they were prepared with a substantial guarantee that, in the event of an office being opened, the department would suffer no loss. Under the circumstances, Mr. Ramsay consented to comply with their request, conditionally upon an approved guarantee being duly executed".

The Telegraph Office at Dromana opened in April 1875.

 

Sorrento.

A Telegraph Office opened in Sorrento in February 1874.

 

Quarantine Station

The construction of a line of telegraph from Sandridge to the Quarantine Station via Sorrento was estimated, in 3 June 1871, to be £780. "As the Government are likely to obtain very little return for the outlay in the way of revenue, it is not probable that the Communication will be effected" (Telegraph).

A Telegraph Office was opened in October 1884. The Annual Report for that year simply lists the Quarantine Station, amongst others, as having been opened in connection with the respective Post Office at those places.

Up to the first few months of 1884, staff were brought to the Station on a needs basis. That strategy was creating a problem as the frequency of cases needing to be quarantines steadily increased. Amid the concerns for ensuring the Station operated as required "The main question which arises is whether the quarantine station should not have always a small permanent local staff, as more economical and efficient than the sudden improvising of means, at any expense, to deal with such cases as that of the Home. It is utterly unworthy of a community like this to be found as unprepared to deal with contagious disease on ship board, as we might expect Mrs Gamp to have been to attend "a case" after a too convivial evening with Betsy Prig. But Mrs Gamp was a sensible woman. She admitted that she took a drop "when so dispoged." The Central Board of Health makes no admission of so amiable a character but significantly shuts its doors against the Press that nothing, it may be presumed, in the shape of "square gin" may be discovered to account for its wretched bungling" (Geelong Advertiser 17 April 1884).

On 17 April 1884, The Age reported on yet another case which had to be met by urgent action because of the lack of staff etc at the Quarantine Station:

"Under the supervision of Dr. Youl, the President of the Central Board of Health and Professor Allen, Miss Kermode, the young lady who was attacked with small-pox, was yesterday removed, with two attendants, from the R.M.S. Rome to the quarantine ground ... The Rescue left the wharf for the quarantine station shortly after six o'clock yesterday evening, taking a number of beds with the necessary bedding, a large quantity of fruit and the requisites to enable the passengers to indulge in games such as cricket, quoits, tennis, &c. Five laundresses were to be taken on board at Williamstown. At the request of the board Mr. James, Manager of the Central Telegraph Office, despatched a telegraph operator by the steamer and arrangements have been made whereby telegraphic communication may be extended to the quarantine station, so as to avoid the delay at present experienced in telephoning the messages to the telegraph station at Sorrento. Direct communication will then be established between the quarantine station and the offices of the Central Board of Health and the passengers in quarantine will be able to communicate with their friends in any town having telegraphic communication".

Hence the telegraph line reached the Quarantine as a response to an urgent situation - and was independent of deputations and the usual delays. Mr. James solved the problem in a few hours. Such a contrast.

PS: "A very favourable news was received on the condition of the patient Miss Kermode who was reported to be rapidly gaining strength under the care and attention which she was receiving. the Rev H B Macartney called upon Mr. Shillinglaw yesterday and was informed that Miss Kermode would be allowed to write letters and that the latter, after being fumigated, would be forwarded to her friends. ...

But for the others from the boat - At 6 o'clock this afternoon, the Melbourne and Tasmanian passengers by the Rome were landed at the quarantine station being taken on shore by the ship's boats. There are over 60 passengers altogether and every effort is being made to provide for their comfort. The barrack-like buildings are, at the best however, a very dreary place and the sojourn at the station is not likely to be a pleasant one. Mounted Constable Brophy has two troopers to assist him in keeping guard along the eastern boundary. ...

(and then a note sent to The Argus by one of the passengers:) The passengers were all landed before 6 o'clock. Everything is in confusion - the dinner having been delayed over an hour. The food is good but badly served. There are only five waiters for over 50 persons. The ladies department is disgracefully deficient in comforts and almost in necessaries. There are no chairs and only a few candles in saucers, there being no candlesticks. There are only a few washing basins outside their room. The man's room is also badly furnished and like barracks. The waiting room is lighted by one candle in a lantern. There are a few forms but not sufficient to seat the ladies. The second class passengers have one waiter for over 24 persons.
(The Argus, 18 April 1884).

It appears that the Central Board of Health was receiving telegraphic intelligence from the quarantine station. Indeed, transmissions were very frequent both to and from the station involving many parties and Departments.

The Argus of 22 April 1884 carried a story from their "Special Correspondent" which was overall very damning of the operation of the station. It did however contain the following information catering to the interests of us all:

"After the pleasant flutter of the postman's advent has subsided, the crowd which so eagerly besieges him disperses to play cricket or quoits, or to drive dull care away by sending telegrams. This form of cacoethes scribendi has become quite a popular pastime since it was discovered that Mr Jenvey, one of the smartest operators in the service and a scientist as well, can despatch the messages with the utmost expertness and that he is equal to any pressure of business. The tick of the telegraph instrument, beside which I am writing, goes on incessantly from early morning till long past dewy eve, and I believe that the arrival of The Argus today - an event eagerly looked for - has stimulated certain people to a rise more and talk less, at least to me. The Postmaster General is likely to find the quarantine telegraph station one of the most remunerative of those under his control - at least, it would be if messages on Her Majesty's Service did not do so much to keep his hands full. If the rush goes on, he ought to be supplied with a clerk.

In the interests of the cricketers among the passengers let me correct an error in my message which said only one ball had been sent. None has been sent".

On 25 April, "Mr. J. J. Shillinglaw, secretary of the Central Board of Health, received a telegram from Mr. H. W. Jenvey, telegraphic operator at the quarantine station yesterday, asking if the Morse instrument should be detached from the wire and replaced by the telephone. He added that the doctors told him that they did not require the former instrument any longer. Mr. Shillinglaw replied that the Morse instrument must remain for a few days longer".

The following day, according to The Leader,

"It is more than twelve months ago that Dr. Bulmer suddenly became alive to the fact that, should there be a sudden influx of patients into the quarantine buildings at the Heads, he was not quite prepared to meet the emergency, especially in the matter of hospital indispensables. Indeed, not to put too fine a point upon it, it was clear that, if ladies were interned, they must, under existing conditions, become subjected to the most shocking inconvenience. The doctor thereupon, hastened to the local telegraph office intending to send a message at once to the Secretary of the Central Board of Health. He found the office in charge of a young lady and, not wishing to be what he deemed indelicately explicit, he wired for 150— hem — "whatnots".

Now a person of ordinary brains would have been struck by the singularity of such a request and possibly have asked for further information. Not so the Secretary to the Board of Health. He took for granted that what was asked for was wanted and, in due course, a consignment of real "whatnots" was received at the station. What Dr. Bulmer's feelings were on ascertaining the construction placed upon his message can be better imagined than described. But the curious part of the whole business is that the mistake has never since been rectified. The "whatnots" were placed in the stores, where they remain at present, while the unfortunate inmates are necessarily subjected to indignities, owing to the lack of certain conveniences. This shows how utterly incompetent are those entrusted with even the trifling responsibility of looking after the arrangements of the quarantine station". 

The passengers of the R.M.S. Rome were allowed out of quarantine on the afternoon of 30 April but Miss. Kermode, her personal attendant, Dr. Levis and the telegraph operator were not allowed to leave until the following afternoon.

There were many discussions about who did what to whom and why and when. Of relevance to the operation of the telegraph is the following extract from the report of the President of the Central Health Board reprinted in The Argus on 20 September 1884:

"The PRESIDENT (Mr. Akehurst) read his Report, which stated that in accordance with the desire of the board, the neglect of Mr. Audley, the storekeeper at the quarantine station, to report the burning by the late health officer of a quantity of papers and records, was brought before the Chief Secretary, together with the recommendation of the board that his services be dispensed with. By the next post, an application tor leave of absence, on account of sickness, was received from the storekeeper, supported by a report from the health officer. It was thereupon decided by the Chief Secretary that three months' leave should be granted, at the expiration of which time, Audley is to retire from the service on the usual compensation. The acting Deputy Postmaster-General had selected a young man - Alfred Stanhope - to act as telegraph operator, storekeeper and clerk, under the control of the health officer, and he had commenced duty".

The 1890 classifications.

By 1890, several lines had replaced the old Southern Coast line as well as a line to and in the Mornington Peninsula and west of the Gippsland telegraph lines. Those lines which were not solely for telephones include:

West of Port Phillip.

Line 9: Melbourne through Williamstown, Newport test box, Werribee, Geelong, Drysdale to Queenscliff.
Line 112: Melbourne through Newport test box, Werribee, Geelong, Geelong West,
Market Square, Drysdale, Portarlington to Queenscliff.
Line 147: Queenscliff to Swan Island (military).

 

East of Port Phillip.

Line 33: Melbourne through Port Melbourne North, Port Melbourne West,
Port Melbourne, Customs, Malvern Test Box, Mentone Racecourse, Mordialloc, Frankston, Mornington, Dromana, Cape Schanck to Flinders.
Line 34: Melbourne through Malvern Test Box, Mordialloc, Frankston, Dromana to Flinders (duplex for Tasmanian business).
Line 35: Melbourne through Malvern test box, Mentone, Mordialloc, Frankston, Mornington, Dromana, Sorrento, Portsea through to the Quarantine Station.
Line 150: Sorrento to Point Nepean (military).