To Wire the World - Perry M. Collins and the North Pacific Telegraph Expedition

In the 1850s, American entrepreneur Perry M. Collins envisioned a world connected by an overland telegraph line. Western Union shared his vision, and, with Russia and England willing to be partners in the venture, it seemed possible to complete the massive undertaking. This is the story of how Collins helped to deploy a telegraph army to British Columbia, modern day Alaska, and Siberia. Supported by a telegraph navy, these men surveyed, explored, and operated in dangerous-sometimes even life-threatening- environments to build the line from 1865 to 1867, only to have their attempts made obsolete by completion of the Atlantic cable in 1866.

Dwyer examines the geopolitical context, notions of manifest destiny, and the spirit of entrepreneurial adventure that motivated telegraph army commander, Col. Charles S. Burkley and his men. This story focuses on firsthand accounts by expedition participants and excerpts from ship's log to fill this important gap in the history of communication. These men braved possible starvation and risked their lives in an ultimately futile attempt to make their vision a reality.

List of contents

Preface
Birth of a Vision
The United States Military Telegraph Corps
Western Union's Telegraph Army
Western Union's Navy
Adventures in British Columbia
Across the North Pacific
Up the Yukon in Russian America
Ordeal in Siberia
The Unfinished Epic
Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index

About the author

JOHN B. DWYER is a Professional Military Historian. His main research interests include tactical deception, the Scouts and Raiders of World War II, and amphibious special warfare. Some of his numerous articles have appeared in magazines such as Proceedings, Naval History, and Vietnam.

Product details

• Authors: John B. Dwyer, Dwyer John B.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.10.2000
• EAN: 9780275967550
• ISBN: 978-0-275-96755-0
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Electronics, electrical engineering, communications engineering; USA, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, American History, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Media & Communications, HISTORY / United States / 19th Century, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / History, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, United States of America, USA, History of engineering and technology, History of engineering & technology, History of the Americas, Media, Information & Communication Industries