The first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed on 5 August 1858, connecting Valentia Island in Ireland to Trinity Bay in Newfoundland, under the engineering supervision of Charles Tilston Bright. This project established a new era in global communications, earning Bright a knighthood in Dublin shortly after the line opened to fitful, limited service.
Early Career in Telegraphy
Born in Wanstead in 1832, Bright attended Merchant Taylors' School before joining the Electric Telegraph Company at age fifteen. By 1852, he held the position of engineer to the Magnetic Telegraph Company. His early work included managing the installation of lines across the British Isles, notably the 1853 connection between Portpatrick, Scotland, and Donaghadee, Ireland.
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In 1856, Bright joined Cyrus West Field and John Watkins Brett to form the Atlantic Telegraph Company, serving as engineer-in-chief. Despite the failure of the 1858 cable, his professional reputation remained intact. He subsequently directed cable laying operations in the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. He also acted as a consultant for the 1866 project that established a permanent connection across the Atlantic.
Scientific Contributions and Political Life
Bright partnered with Josiah Latimer Clark in 1861, collaborating on advancements in submarine cable manufacturing and operation. Their 1861 paper for the British Association for the Advancement of Science influenced the development of standardized electrical units for volts, ohms, and amps. Alongside his engineering work, Bright served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Greenwich between 1865 and 1868.
Legal Controversy and Later Years
In 1870, Bright became the engineer for the Panama and South Pacific Telegraph Company. The firm later sued him for acting as a sub-contractor for the Telegraph Works Company while employed as their engineer, resulting in a judgment for the company. This legal case established a significant precedent in English law regarding agent conflict of interest. Bright served as president of the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians in 1887 and died in 1888 at Abbey Wood.
Fast facts
- Born: 1832, Wanstead
- Died: 1888, Abbey Wood
- Nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Education: Merchant Taylors' School
- Parliamentary Service: 1865-1868
- Notable Award: Knight Bachelor
- Professional Membership: Middle Temple
- Association: Electric Telegraph Company
Questions readers ask
What caused the 1858 transatlantic cable to fail?
The cable failed due to hasty manufacturing and the application of excessive signalling voltages by Wildman Whitehouse.
What legal principle is associated with Bright's 1875 court case?
The case is a leading authority in English law on third party liability for procuring a breach of duty by an agent due to a conflict of interest.
Achievements
- Knight Bachelor
- Affiliated with Electric Telegraph Company
- Educated at Merchant Taylors' School
- Worked as politician and electrical engineer
