Fogo Wireless Relay Interpretation Centre
In November of 2005, the town received a grant of
$288,000.00 funded by the Department of Innovative Trade & Rural
Development (ITRD) & Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to
construct the Fogo Wireless Relay Interpretation Centre. The Fogo
Harbour Lion's Club will also contribute $26,000.00 towards this
project.
The Centre will be used to display artifacts and
interpret the Wireless Telegraph era in Fogo from 1911-1933.
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Mayor & Mr. Walsh
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Mr. Walsh, wife Vivian,
Mayor, Raymond & Neville
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Mr. Walsh visits
Interpretation Centre
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Mr. Walsh visits old School House Museum
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In March 2004 the Town of Fogo was in touch with
Augustus Walsh, son of Michael Walsh an operator of the Marconi Station, who now resides in
North Sydney, Nova
Scotia. Augustus relayed some very fond memories about the people
and events of Fogo Island. In particular, he remembers his father as
being the first person to own a car on Fogo Island. At the age
of 83, Mr. Augustus Walsh has a very clear recollection of the Marconi
Station but unfortunately could not provide us with a picture. However,
Mr. Walsh did have some Wireless Telegraph Equipment original to the
station in Fogo. In November 2006, Mr. Walsh and his wife Vivian
made a special trip to Fogo to officially donate this equipment to the
Town which will be on display in the new Fogo Wireless Relay
Interpretation Centre scheduled to open this summer 2007.
Also, working to enhance the actual Marconi Station Site
were 4 young people sponsored by the Town of Fogo through the 2006
Green Team Program. This program
provides opportunities for youth to gain solid skills through meaningful
community work, encourages teamwork and one that attempts to contribute
long term sustainable development in the region. The Green Team were
tasked with trail construction, restoration of old root cellar and the
removal of brush and debris of the original Marconi Site.
Green Team 2006 ~ Niki Gill (Team
Leader), Michelle Payne (Team Member), Matthew Sibley (Team Member) &
Jason Wade (Team Member)
Background
The Fogo Marconi Station, call sign VOJ, was built near
the town of Fogo by the Marconi Company of Canada in 1912. The
station reported ice and weather conditions, communicated with sealing
vessels, and acted as a link for Newfoundland fishermen and merchants
working on the Labrador.
Operators
Station operators included Norman Gosse, Michael Walsh and
Edward Myrick.
Description
A 150 foot mast with antenna gave a range of 288
miles. Power was supplied by an eight horsepower gasoline engine
driving three generators. The station closed in 1933 and the
facility dismantled.
Pictured below are the eye bolts used to anchor the mast
and a concrete platform where the generators were housed.
Wireless operator Edward Myrick's daughters revisits the
Marconi Site
of their childhood home on August 4, 2005. [Left] Jean (Pearcey), Mary
(Healy) & Elsie (McCarthy). Mrs. McCarthy passed away early 2006.
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