CROSS-CHANNEL RADIO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1939, Page 7

CROSS-CHANNEL RADIO

OBSERVANCE OF FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY. /Wimereux, one of the most delightful little watering places of the north coast of France, between Boulogne and Calais, will this year commemorate the first cross-Channel wireless message by the erection of a monument: This monument will be set up in the garden adjoining the Artois Chalet, where Marconi was staying when carrying out his early experiments. The date of the historic radiogram sent from St. Margaret, near Dover, to Wimereux was March 29, 1899. The message read:—“Signor Marconi sends to Monsieur Branly his respectful compliments by wireless telegraphy across the Channel, this notable achievement being due in part to the remarkable labours of Monsieur Branly.” Marconi went to Wimereux as a tourist, looking for rest and sea-bath-ing. but an accident compelled him to remain much longer than he expected Within Artois Chalet Marconi' set up the first radio station on French soil. He erected a steel mast 183 feet high. To help him in his experiments, the French government placed the gunboat “Isis” at his disposal, probably the first naval vessel with a wireless receiving set on board. The “Isis” cruised along the coast, receiving the messages sent out by Marconi. Every day the distance was increased, but still the boat was able to pick up the messages. When convinced of the possibility of complete success, Marconi crossed the Channel to Dover and chose St. Margaret as the site of his'experiment. Here another steel mast was erected, from which the historic radio was sent.