Friday, July 30, 2010 November 8, 1850 UNITE THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW The church made great progress in Newfoundland during the episcopate of Bishop John Thomas Mullock who became the reigning Catholic bishop of Newfoundland in 1850. Mullock added substantially to the Roman Catholic institutions, he completed the cathedral (now Basilica) building a new palace, 11 convents, numerous churches, founded St. Michael’s Orphanage, and in 1857, opened St. Bonaventure’s College. He was also instrumental in encouraging the ordination of native priests. Prior to him all of the priests were Irish born. Mullock was not however content with “church affairs” he frequently intervened in the political sphere, especially in the period leading up to the granting of Responsible Government in 1855. Bishop Mullock also took a keen interest in the commercial development of Newfoundland, and was most enthusiastic about its natural resources. He was frequently consulted by the governor on matters relating to the welfare of the colony, and many of his suggestions relating to the fisheries and other matters were adopted. November 8, 1850 Bishop John Thomas Mullock of St. John’s on this day in the local newspaper The Courier suggested running a cable from Ireland to Newfoundland. "I hope the day is not far distant," he writes, "when St. John's will be the first link in the electric chain which will unite the Old World and the New." 8 November 1850 First Published Suggestion of a Telegraph Line Across Newfoundland The first link in the electric chain which will unite the Old World and the New To the Editor of The Courier: Sir: I regret to find that, in every plan for transatlantic communication, Halifax is always mentioned, and the natural capabilities of Newfoundland entirely overlooked. This has been deeply impressed on my mind by the communication I read in your paper of Saturday last [2 November 1850] , regarding telegraphic communication between England and Ireland, in which it is said that the nearest telegraphic station on the American side is Halifax, twenty-one hundred and fifty-five miles from the west of Ireland. Now would it not be well to call the attention of England and America to the extraordinary capabilities of St. John's, as the nearest telegraphic point? It is an Atlantic port, lying, I may say, in the track of the ocean steamers, and by establishing it as the American telegraphic station, news could be communicated to the whole American continent forty-eight hours, at least, sooner than by any other route. But how will this be accomplished? Just look at the map of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. From St. John's to Cape Ray there is no difficulty in establishing a line passing near Holy-Rood along the neck of land connecting Trinity and Placentia Bays, and thence in a direction due west to the Cape. You have then about forty-one to forty-five miles of sea to St. Paul's Island, with deep soundings of one hundred fathoms 180 metres, so that the electric cable will be perfectly safe from icebergs. Thence to Cape North, in Cape Breton, is little more than twelve miles. Thus it is not only practicable to bring America two days nearer to Europe by this route, but should the telegraphic communication between England and Ireland, sixty-two miles, be realized, it presents not the least difficulty. Of course, we in Newfoundland will have nothing to do with the erection, working, and maintenance of the telegraph; but I suppose our Government will give every facility to the company, either English or American, who will undertake it, as it will be an incalculable advantage to this country. I hope the day is not far distant when St. John's will be the first link in the electric chain which will unite the Old World and the New. (signed) J.T.M. [Bishop Mullock, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Newfoundland] For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca Other “Archival Moments” will be posted at this site on a regular weekly basis. If you have friends or colleagues who would like to receive these "archival moments" please send us their e mail address or forward this moment to them from your desk!! Larry Dohey Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s P.O. Box 1363 St. John’s, NL A1C 5M3 709-726-3660 E-mail: archives@nf.aibn.com We hope that you have enjoyed this archival moment.