Site Report

WoSAS Pin 67765
NR 6284 2068

This so far undesignated site is the remains of the Fessenden Radio Mast and radio receiver buildings. This site had a twin in Massachsetts and in 1905 they transmitted and received the first ever two way transatlantic radio broadcast and the first ever transatlantic audio broadcast. This remote place still has visible remains of the 450 ft high mast plinth, the concrete anchor points for the stay wires and the foundations of the power plant, receiver room and transmission hut, plus underground earthing and signal cabling. The site is immensely important in the history of international communication and technology. Few photographs remain as the mast collapsed in a storm after only a year. Its builder was Reginald Fessenden who rivalled Marconi in radio and telephone and telegram communication. The remains need to be protected and interpreted so that present and future generations understand how historic it was.
Information from Miller, R., by email, 26/05/16

The telegraph station is depicted on the 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map of around 1913, on which it was annotated as being disused.
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 31/05/2016

A radio station was constructed in late 1905 as part of an experimental transatlantic radio system. It operated until December 1906 when the mast fell over during a storm.The Wireless Station was never used again, but it was depicted on the OS 25-inch map (Argyllshire 1921, sheet cclvi 12 & 8) revised in 1915, and annotated as 'Wireless Telegraph Station (disused)'. As mapped it comprised a large building and three smaller buildings, the mast base and the anchor points for the guy lines. Modern aerial photography shows many the concrete base of the main building, the mast base and anchor points.
Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 30 September 2015