History of the Atlantic Cable & Submarine Telegraphy

	History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications from the first submarine cable of 1850 to the worldwide fiber optic network
HMS Cecile Mapleson by Bill Glover

HMS CECILE MAPLESON

Built in 1924 by Bow, MacClain and Co., Paisley.

Length 142.5 ft Breadth 26.8 ft Depth 9.8 ft Gross tonnage 344

Originally built for the Cowasjee family and named Halal, and used for trading in the Red Sea. In 1940, when requisitioned by the Admiralty Cable Service, was named Cecile Mapleson and owned by African Coasters Ltd.

For harbour defence work fitted with a diesel-driven winch and two 3 ft dia by 8 ins wide rollers. Port and starboard derricks were installed for handling asdic equipment. Sold in 1953 to Neptune Steamship Co., and subsequently sold to and renamed Congella by Durban Coasters Ltd.

One of many similar vessels requisitioned and converted. Cable equipment for these was manufactured by The Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, Johnson & Phillips and Clarke, Chapman & Co.

Cableships Index Page

Last revised: 17 February, 2012

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