The first Superintendent, the late Mr. S.S. Dickenson served here many years eventually becoming General Superintendent at New York which position he held until his death.
He was succeeded as Station Sup't by Mr. F.B. Gerrard who became General Superintendent upon the demise of Mr. Dickenson and who is now 2nd. Vice-President.
Mr. R.J. Hughes manager of Plant in England also served here.
Among others that passed through the ranks at "CS" and became prominent in cable life I may mention: Mr. B. W. Colley (first Superintendent of Midway Island in the Commercial Pacific System) the late J.D. Gaines (Sup't of Shanghai) Messrs. Walsh, Windeler, Withers, Graham, Burstall, Lawson and Hemming.
Superintendents past and present in the Commercial at different Stations: the late A. Cunningham asst. Vice-President of the All America; H. Bain general Sup't. of the Pacific Cable Board, Sydney, Australia; and G.R. McLachlan, Sup't. of the Imperial System at Barbados. These with many others occupied or who are occupying responsible positions elsewhere were former members of the "CS" staff.
A few words regarding the nearest Town of Canso may be of interest. Canso is essentially a fishing port and is of some historical importance. Authentic records, show that as early as 1607 it was visited by European fishermen who continued to conduct operations annually until the place became permanently settled. Until the treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the ownership of it in common with the rest of Nova Scotia was disputed by the British and French and Canso was the victim of many raids. It continued a bone of contention between the two nations for long after the treaty. Many actions and raids occurred between 1718-1722 in which year protective measures were taken by the Governor and Council which proved effective. In 1744, the place was burned by the French and Indians, but in 1745 General Pepperell and Commodore Warren occupied it with their forces before setting out on their successful expediton against Louisburg.
During the American Revoluntionary war the place suffered from attacks and raids by John Paul Jones, and other American privateers. The Town of today is a prosperous community of 2,000 population. It has a fine school of 12 depts. where 400 children receive a good high school education, four churches, two fraternal organizations, fine public building, a movie theatre and several large fish curing and packing plants. The town is electrically lit and has a modern Diesel plant operating 24 hours daily. Several merchantile establishments cater to the needs of the town and surrounding district.
The Western Union Station re-established in 1923 is a prominent and important section of the place and with the Commercial Station at Hazel Hill contributes materially to the Town's progress, prosperity and development. Although Hazel Hill is two miles distant, the two places are practically connected, making it difficult to determine where Canso ends and the Hill begins.
The "Postal Telegraph" is always working with the cable Station and serves to keep us in touch with events going on in the land Service. In the hope that our confrères of that portion of our System may be interested in our cable stations, this contribution is offered.
I have not given a detailed description of the method of working, or a technical description of the apparatus employed in cable operation. This may be attempted later on if the subject is likely to be of sufficient interest to the readers.
