'On April 4, 1877, a telephone circuit was strung to connect the factory of Charles Williams, Jr., in Court Street, Boston, with his residence in Somerville. This is said to be the first telephone circuit constructed in the United States, the earlier ones being transformed telegraph lines.'
Popular Science, December, 1906
Popular Science, December, 1906
Daily Gleaner, April 26, 1877
'THE TELEPHONE The account given by the Boston Daily Globe of the working of a new instrument or apparatus called the Telephone makes it appear that sound may now be transmitted over long distances — up to a limit of something like twenty miles — as easily as sense, or at least information, has been transmitted for some time past.' . . . . 'Telephony will, it is true, need a little development before such results as these can be obtained. The new invention is still in its infancy. But as perfect voice-messages can already be sent a distance of twenty miles, we may confidently look forward to the time when telephony as a means of rapid communication will take its position side by side with telegraphy, to which it will doubtless for many uses be preferred.' Governor Musgrave took office in August 1877, and the development of telephony was only one of the aspects of modernisation which he took keen interest in, during his six years in Jamaica.
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The Jamaican historical review - Volumes 12-17, 1980
'Imagine how Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Jamaica, must have felt when he spoke by telephone, for that historic first time, to his Colonial Secretary, Major Owen Lanyon, in 1878 . . .'
[I think this quotation comes from an advertisement for the Telephone Company in the Review, not from one of the articles; I have to follow up on that point!]
I would have to assume that this historic 'phone call took place on the line between King's House and HQ House, though I have so far been unable to find the source for this piece of information! It seems that identifying the Colonial Secretary as Major Lanyon is incorrect; Lanyon was Lieutenant Governor of Griqualand West in South Africa from 1875-9. The Acting Colonial Secretary in 1878 was Edward Noel Walker - perhaps he received that first telephone call - but still no evidence.
'Imagine how Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Jamaica, must have felt when he spoke by telephone, for that historic first time, to his Colonial Secretary, Major Owen Lanyon, in 1878 . . .'
[I think this quotation comes from an advertisement for the Telephone Company in the Review, not from one of the articles; I have to follow up on that point!]
I would have to assume that this historic 'phone call took place on the line between King's House and HQ House, though I have so far been unable to find the source for this piece of information! It seems that identifying the Colonial Secretary as Major Lanyon is incorrect; Lanyon was Lieutenant Governor of Griqualand West in South Africa from 1875-9. The Acting Colonial Secretary in 1878 was Edward Noel Walker - perhaps he received that first telephone call - but still no evidence.
Daily Gleaner, July 6, 1878 07
MUNICIPAL AND ROAD BOARDS. A letter from the Colonial Secretary asking permission to erect a telephone from King's House to the Post Office was read. Permission was granted. |
linking up the public offices -
A long sequence of items indicates that Musgrave's suggestion of linking the Fire Brigade stations by telephone was followed up, with some success; the Constabulary was also provided with telephone connection.
Daily Gleaner, October 3, 1878 If this Fire Brigade system is to be carried out at all, it must be carried out in its entirety. If you rescind it, then you must substitute some other plan, and break up the whole thing, pull down the telephone wires, &c., which would then be of no use. Daily Gleaner, January 23, 1879 On testing the telephone he communicated by it with Mr. Walker at the Central [Fire Brigade] Station most satisfactorily Daily Gleaner, November 3, 1879 Edison's latest telephone, the "Universal" was fitted up at the Central Telegraph Office on Saturday, under the direction of Mr. H. L. Wilson. A full account of the instrument appeared in a recent London "Graphic." It is simple and handsome in construction, and eminently satisfactory in results. The sound transmitted comes with wonderful sharpness of enunciation, and can be heard at three feet from the receiver. Connection is to be made with the Col. Secretary's Office, and in all probability the other departments will soon be linked together. This will effect a great saving of time and of expense for messengers. Daily Gleaner, November 12, 1879 [after fire at a wharf] Great anxiety was felt for a time by merchants in the neighborhood but in an hour the street had resumed its normal condition. It is said that the telephone did not work. If this be true, it requires investigation. Daily Gleaner, December 13, 1879 An application from Mr. Burke for telephonic supplies for the Fire Brigade was read. It was agreed to await Mr. Parry's advent. Daily Gleaner, June 17, 1880 The Inspector-General [of Police] in a further communication said that the telephones were very useful to the Force, and he desired to continue the use of them, bearing if possible, a share of the expense. Mr. Lee made a motion to entertain the proposal of the Inspector-General with regard to the telephones, but it fell through, the opinion of the [Municipal] Board being that it would be better to have the [Fire] Brigade telephones dissociated from the Constabulary system altogether. Daily Gleaner, July 1, 1880 The Inspector General of Constabulary wrote the Board, regretting that they could not accede to his request, to be allowed the unrestricted use of the telephone for police purposes, but promised aid as to the daily practical testing of the instruments. He stated himself to be unable to supply, unless the reason were given, the names of the sub-officers on duty at the stations. The Custos proposed to write that their reason for asking was that in the absence of the Inspector and the Sub-Inspector, they might know the persons responsible for the due working of the telephones. Daily Gleaner, September 27, 1880 The Fire Brigade has received new batteries and other appliances for its telephone service. Daily Gleaner, November 4, 1880 Mr. Lee said to the Custos that he saw in the " Gleaner," that the Fire Brigade was late in their arrival at the fire. The Custos said that he too was surprised at their late arrival as well as the late arrival of the Constabulary. He asked Mr. Parry to make a report on the matter. Mr. Lee said that an explanation was due to rate payers.The Custos said that he is informed that the men were engaged working at the telephone; Mr. Parry will, however, state in his report why the Fire Brigade was late in their arrival. Daily Gleaner, November 18, 1880 The Inspector General of Constabulary ventured an explanation of the late false alarm of fire, on the 19 ult, as originating from a "foreign" wire touching the official wires; and he pointed out the bad condition of the telephones. A report from Mr. Parry was read on the the subject, somewhat combatting the views of the Inspector General. Mr. Parry was ordered to attend to the completion of the telephone system and to the establishment of an alarm Station at the Railway Terminus. All the other Stations now connect with the Central Station telephonically. Daily Gleaner, December 29, 1881 A letter was read from the Inspector-General of Constabulary in reference to false alarms of fire by telephone. The matter was referred to Mr. Parry to confer with the Inspector-General. |
. . . and then there was private enterprise
While the authorities figured out how to make use of the new technology, Kingston's businessmen started to make use of it also, on an individual basis.
Daily Gleaner, September 3, 1879 The Telegraph lines were in operation between Kingston and Linstead on Wednesday, and messages were experimentally transmitted to and fro. Many ladies and gentleman of the parish were in attendance to see the first message forwarded and received. The Telephone has had a private trial upon the same lines, and voices were carried in perfection over a distance of twenty six miles. It is expected that in the course of a week the same successful result will attend the work just completed between this city and St Ann's Bay. The party at Linstead was entertained by the kind and polite superintendent, and the lines were wetted with champagne as a christening. Daily Gleaner, January 23, 1880 Mr. Gall has established telephone communication between the Chambers of Commerce and Myrtle Bank. The instruments, one with a battery of four cells — and the other with a battery of three cells, work effectively, saving much time and trouble. We would like to see the system extended so as to embrace the principal stores, offices, and departments. Daily Gleaner, January 1 1, 1881 The telephone is an instrument coming into universal use, as a rapid means of communication, and two or three are already working in this Island. To the number will soon be added one connecting the ''Gleaner" Office with Mr. G J. DeCordova's Coach Factory — both in Harbour St. The distance is 1800 feet, and the line runs along the front of the stores en route, by kind permission of the various firms. The instrument will be of great convenience to ourselves, and we shall not be at all sorry if it is soon attached to a flourishing telephonic exchange in a central part of the city. Daily Gleaner, 1881 01 28 Yesterday the telephone between Freemason's Hall, occupied as a coach factory by Mr. G. J. DeCordova and the "Gleaner" Office was put in working order and messages were exchanged. The line and instruments have been carefully connected by an electrical engineer of great experience and are in every respect a success. The communications made over the wire were remarkably distinct, and conversation was as unrestricted as if the persons carrying it on were buttonholing each other. Anyone who desires to send a message over the wire in order to save the long journey from one end of the city to the other, is welcome to the use of the instrument at the Factory or the Newspaper Office. We may mention that advertisements will be received at this Office per telephone. Experiments tried with them yesterday in this way were a triumphant success. Daily Gleaner, June 26, 1883 Captain Forwood, the Traffic Manager of the Atlas s.s. Co. has had a telephone fixed in his office. The instrument connects with Messrs. McDowell Hankey and Company's establishment, and will prove of great benefit to persons wishing to communicate between the two places. Daily Gleaner, August 14, 1883 Between Saturday night and yesterday morning some person on mischief intent cut the telephone wire connecting the Atlas Company's office with Messrs. McDowell Hankey & Co's. establishment. What satisfaction any-one could derive from such a silly and mischievous act, it is difficult to imagine. |
All this activity over five years had by 1883 produced a chaotic and unworkable set of telephonic arrangements. At a meeting of the Municipal Board on February 28, 1883, a member, H. J. Bicknell, had 'characterized the telephones as a "broken down system." ' The Gleaner commented editorially two days later -
'What Mr. Bicknell means by calling the telephone service a "broken down system," we do not know, and can only imagine that his remarks apply to the experience he and others have met with in Jamaica, where telephones are put up on the go-as-you-please plan, and are utterly unreliable. Our experience of a telephone here is that when it does condescend to act, it is just as liable to turn the message upside down and call for something that is not wanted, as it is to deliver the message correctly, and therefore, looking at it from this point of view, Mr. Bicknell is perfectly justified in calling it a "broken down system." If he can find anything worse to name it, we should be pleased to give the designation a prominent position in our columns.
Daily Gleaner, March 2, 1883
'What Mr. Bicknell means by calling the telephone service a "broken down system," we do not know, and can only imagine that his remarks apply to the experience he and others have met with in Jamaica, where telephones are put up on the go-as-you-please plan, and are utterly unreliable. Our experience of a telephone here is that when it does condescend to act, it is just as liable to turn the message upside down and call for something that is not wanted, as it is to deliver the message correctly, and therefore, looking at it from this point of view, Mr. Bicknell is perfectly justified in calling it a "broken down system." If he can find anything worse to name it, we should be pleased to give the designation a prominent position in our columns.
Daily Gleaner, March 2, 1883
Some six months later there came an indication that an attempt might soon be made to provide a more coherent telephone service -
Daily Gleaner, August 10, 1883
The assistant manager of the Company known as the West Indian Telegraph and Telephone Company, after two months experience in the island, has concluded to establish a general system of telephonic communication in this city, which he trusts will be in active operation in about three months.
Daily Gleaner, August 10, 1883
The assistant manager of the Company known as the West Indian Telegraph and Telephone Company, after two months experience in the island, has concluded to establish a general system of telephonic communication in this city, which he trusts will be in active operation in about three months.
1884-9
The Electrician, Volume 13, James Gray, 1884
'An exchange is to be opened at Kingston, Jamaica, by the West India Telegraph and Telephone Company.'
In 1884 the process of organising the telephone service in Kingston was embarked upon.
'An exchange is to be opened at Kingston, Jamaica, by the West India Telegraph and Telephone Company.'
In 1884 the process of organising the telephone service in Kingston was embarked upon.
Daily Gleaner, May 1, 1884
We understand that the West India Telegraph and Telephone Company are about to open an exchange at the corner of King and Port Royal streets, which will shortly be ready for business. It is expected over 30 merchants will have subscribed for the telephone by the end of this week, and as it is proposed by the company to connect the Post and Telegraph, and Fire Brigade offices with the exchange, the great advantage that will accrue to subscribers can be readily imagined. Daily Gleaner, October 1, 1884 The Telephone Exchange will open for business today with 43 subscribers connected, these will be added to 30 soon, as the lines can be built connecting them; and their names will be published in the Gleaner. The Exchange is now in connection with all the public offices. Those who are wishful of seeing the practical working of the Exchange are invited to call.
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. . . . and an early example of a telephone in a private residence,
a little below Hope Toll Gate, now Matilda's Corner:
a little below Hope Toll Gate, now Matilda's Corner:
. . . and the complaints continued as well
Daily Gleaner
November 5, 1891 City Council The Secretary of the Car Company has written to the City Council complaining of the telephone poles along their line leading to York Lodge. November 1 1, 1891 A NARROW ESCAPE. An accident, which nearly caused Mr. Mortimer C. DeSouza the loss of his eye occurred on Monday afternoon. Mr. DeSousa was proceeding from Water Lane (east) into King Street on a matter of urgent business when on turning the corner sharply, he came in contact with one of the huge spikes which the Telephone Company have on their poles. He received an ugly wound near the left eye which bled profusely. He had to be led into Mr. Crosswell's Drug Store to have it dressed, and afterwards he consulted Dr. Saunders, under whose treatment he now is. . . . . and there had been complaints about the telephone service itself -
Daily Gleaner,
September 30, 189 Subscribers to the Telephone Company complain that reply to calls at the Central office is unnecessarily delayed, to the annoyance of those paying for the service. October 6, 1891 On Sunday evening daring the severe thunderstorm which passed over this city, Mr. Vendryes and five members of his family, while standing about 12 feet from the telephone apparatus which is erected at his Pen residence called Belle Vue on the Rock Fort road received a severe shock, two of their number getting slightly burnt on the hands, from the electric fluid which passed through the building from one of the very vivid flashes of lightning. [It is advisable to hang up a call on a direct land line 'phone if there is thunder and lightning going on. Snopes agrees!] November 2, 1891 Complaints continue to reach us of the delay subscribers to the telephone service are subjected to in getting their calls promptly attended to at the head office. |
Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Commerce and Merchants Exchange
A small but significant advance was achieved by the Kingston business community in receiving information about the expected arrival of ships in the harbour. Until the development of the inland telegraph the arrival of ships could mostly only be reported when they came in sight of Port Royal, and the news could be signalled over to Kingston. Telegraph links to the eastern end of the island had made some earlier reporting possible, but in 1891 a telephone connection with the lighthouse at Morant Point speeded up that reporting. I assume that the lighthouse keeper still had to identify the arriving ships from flag signals; it is hard for us to envisage a world in which 'wireless telegraphy', or radio, was not available to convey information through the air!
Daily Gleaner
June 26, 1891 IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE JAMAICA SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE. At a meeting of the above society held yesterday at the office of the Merchants Exchange, Duke Street, the following gentlemen were present:. Hon. John Orrett, President, Messrs. Soutar, Spicer, Haggart and Jones. . . . . A report was presented from the Committee appointed to confer with the Director of Public Works, to the effect that they had so far arranged the details connected with the opening of the Signal Station at Morant Point, as to ensure its being opened on the 1st August next. They further suggested that the corporation of Lloyds and the New York Maritime Association should be invited to avail themselves of its advantages for the purposes of reporting foreign vessels. Under this arrangement all vessels will report to the Light House Keeper on arrlval off the south end and he will telephone report to the Telegraph Station, who immediately forward same to Merchant Exchange, thus giving information of approaching vessels 5 or 6 hours before they can be seen from Kingston. July 18, 1891 The Chambers of the Society of Agriculture and Commerce and Merchants Exchange in Duke Street are being thoroughly renovated and refitted. We understand the new signal station will be established at Morant Bay on the 1st August. October 1, 1891 Some time ago we intimated that the Merchants Exchange were about making arrangements to erect Telephone communication between the Light House at Morant Point and the Telegraph Station at Plantain Garden River, whereby vessels bound for Kingston can be telegraphed to Kingston from the latter place fully five hours previous to their arrival. Yesterday at 10 a.m. the first message of the kind was received intimating that the Athos from New York was passing. October 8, 1891 Mr. Halstead the newly appointed Secretary of the Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Commerce and Merchants Exchange has made arrangements whereby the movements of the shipping at the outports will be always available at the rooms of the exchange. |
In spite of the increasing use of the telephone in Kingston, especially by the business community, there was apparently increasing dissatisfaction with the existing company, by now known as the West India and Colombia Telephone Company. The next part of the story is the establishment of the Jamaica Telephone Company in 1892