Papers of Edward Riddle (1845-1907)
170 letters and documents relating to the Riddle family. Kept and written by Edward Riddle (1788-1854), John Riddle (1816-1862) and Edward Riddle (1845-1907). Most of the letters within this collection relate to Edward Riddle (1845-1907).
There are 145 letters sent to Charlotte Jane (Charley) Lucas, his wife from 1873 onwards, during numerous cable laying expeditions for which he was often the engineer in charge, 1870-1891. They provide details of life on board ship and ashore in foreign places, his professional responsibilities and family events back home. There are first-hand accounts of cable laying operations, in locations including Singapore, Shanghai, Lisbon, Venice, Suez, Manila and Malta.
There are six letters from his colleague and brother-in-law Francis (Frank) Robert Lucas, discussing technical issues, 1879-1888. Additional letters include orders from the London offices of the Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Co. Ltd. and a letter from another colleague, Henry Clifford, expressing sympathy following the death from whooping cough of Riddle’s infant son while he away supervising the laying of the Hong Kong to Manila cable in 1880. There is also an Eastern Telegraph Co. Ltd. diary for 1896, listing notable cable laying anniversaries, with the initials ‘E.R.’ added alongside in pencil to indicate his involvement.
Administrative / biographical background
Edward Riddle (1846-1907) was the son of John Riddle (1816-1862), head of the Nautical School at Greenwich, and his wife Georgiana Riddle (née Mackenzie). He served as a midshipman on the paddle frigate HMS ODIN, but his naval career was cut short by charges of insubordination in 1864. He later became an engineer with the Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Co. Ltd. and his life story is closely connected to the riverside industries of Greenwich based on the manufacture and laying of submarine telegraph cables. His sister Katherine Mary Riddle married Francis (Frank) Robert Lucas, also a submarine telegraph cable engineer.
There are 145 letters sent to Charlotte Jane (Charley) Lucas, his wife from 1873 onwards, during numerous cable laying expeditions for which he was often the engineer in charge, 1870-1891. They provide details of life on board ship and ashore in foreign places, his professional responsibilities and family events back home. There are first-hand accounts of cable laying operations, in locations including Singapore, Shanghai, Lisbon, Venice, Suez, Manila and Malta.
There are six letters from his colleague and brother-in-law Francis (Frank) Robert Lucas, discussing technical issues, 1879-1888. Additional letters include orders from the London offices of the Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Co. Ltd. and a letter from another colleague, Henry Clifford, expressing sympathy following the death from whooping cough of Riddle’s infant son while he away supervising the laying of the Hong Kong to Manila cable in 1880. There is also an Eastern Telegraph Co. Ltd. diary for 1896, listing notable cable laying anniversaries, with the initials ‘E.R.’ added alongside in pencil to indicate his involvement.
Administrative / biographical background
Edward Riddle (1846-1907) was the son of John Riddle (1816-1862), head of the Nautical School at Greenwich, and his wife Georgiana Riddle (née Mackenzie). He served as a midshipman on the paddle frigate HMS ODIN, but his naval career was cut short by charges of insubordination in 1864. He later became an engineer with the Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Co. Ltd. and his life story is closely connected to the riverside industries of Greenwich based on the manufacture and laying of submarine telegraph cables. His sister Katherine Mary Riddle married Francis (Frank) Robert Lucas, also a submarine telegraph cable engineer.
Record Details
| Item reference: | RID/3 |
|---|---|
| Level: | SUB-COLLECTION |
| Extent: | 6 folders |
| Date made: | 1870-1896 |
| Creator: | Riddle, Edward |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |