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History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications
from the first submarine cable of 1850 to the worldwide fiber optic network

1921 Dutch East Indies Cable
Soerabaja - Macassar - Donggala - Menado

This cable sample has a hand-lettered label which reads:

Cable manufactured by the
Norddeutsche See-kabelwerke
for the Dutch Government.

Received 1921.

The seven-strand copper conductor is insulated with gutta percha, surrounded by a brass tape to prevent the intrusion of teredo worms, and armoured with ten steel wires.

1921 DEI Cable
1921 DEI Cable Label

The cable was laid in 1921 by Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke A.G., using a chartered Norwegian steamer, the Flint.

The system length was 1710 nm. and the cable connected the Dutch East Indies territories on the route Soerabaja - Macassar - Donggala - Menado.

1921 DEI Cable Section

Last revised: 10 March, 2010

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