Portsmouth Semaphore Line
The Royal Navy employed a line of Semaphore Signalling Stations stretching from the Admiralty in London to Portsmouth. In an 1836 configuration, thirteen stations divided the distance into twelve spans averaging about 5.25 miles in distance. The arms of the semaphore were reportedly eight feet in length.
History and Composition
The first Navy List I can find which mentions the line is that of January, 1836 (it is not in the October 1835 Navy List). It is last mentioned in October, 1848, omitted in January 1850 List and beyond.
Wikipedia reports that the line functioned until railroad and wireline telegraphy replaced it in 1860. Cobham's Chatley Heath station has been restored and can be toured by the public as of 2020.
January, 1836
The following Lieutenants commanded the stations.[1] The names of the hills are taken from a Navy List of 1848.[2]
| Station | Lieutenant-in-Command |
| Admiralty | Charles Hawse Jay |
| Chelsea | David O'Brien Casey |
| Putney | William Eardley Amiel |
| Kingston | Thomas Tribe |
| Esher, Cooper's Hill |
M. Danellan (not found) |
| Cobham Chatley Heath |
William Backhouse Fabian |
| Guildford, Pewley Hill |
Daniel Leary |
| Godalming, Bannicle Hill |
Charles Matthew Chapman |
| Haslemere, Haste Hill |
Henry Garrett |
| Midhurst, Holder Hill |
Charles Edward Wilmot |
| Petersfield, Beacon Hill |
John Wildey |
| Bedhampton, Portsdown Hill |
George Williamson |
| Portsmouth | John Barnes |
July, 1848
George Williamson would be appointed in command of the Portsmouth Semaphore Station on 10 March 1842. He is the only name listed in the Navy List of July 1848.[3] Petersfield would seemingly have two stations in October 1848: Beacon Hill and Compton Down.[4]
See Also
Footnotes
Bibliography
