| Place | Oceania: Pacific Islands, Fanning Island |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P02564.014 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Luscombe, Eric Popham |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Fanning Island. 7 September 1914. Part of the exterior of the building that housed the Engine ...
Description
Fanning Island. 7 September 1914. Part of the exterior of the building that housed the Engine Room (middle), Refrigerator and accumulation room of the Pacific Cable Board on Fanning Island after it had been destroyed by German Marines from the Nurnberg. The Nurnberg accompanied by a collier ship, both flying the French flag, were sent to Fanning Island by Vice Admiral Count von Spee to destroy the Cable Relay Station, cutting out the British communications network in the Pacific. Repairs to the cable were carried out quickly and communications were restored within a fortnight. A hole was made in the wall of the Engine Room when the dynamo (a type of direct current generator) was pushed through, destroying part of the wall and a window. Note the hole in the roof (left), made when a piece of metal was hurled through it. (Donor J. Luscombe)