Headstone 251
~ Granite ~ Latin cross with four step base, with kerbs
- William Rowett 1806 – 4 May 1875
- Aged 68 years
- Died in Polperro
- Parish Records show
- Buried 8 May 1875
- Possible Connection to Ledger Stone 253
Although William Rowett (Captain) was a Master Mariner, born in Polperro, he owned a ship-broking business and a cable factory in Liverpool. He patented ‘The Hempen Electric Telegraph Cable’ which created great excitement in 1858.
The idea was to “establish telegraphic communication between Europe & America. The total length of the line would be about 2,300miles long and its deepest point 3,700 fathoms. The telegraph wire was surrounded with a coating of india-rubber and this then enclosed with a spiral coil of hemp”.
details taken from The Telegraphic Journal – June 1864
The project never went ahead, but, in 1869, William Rowett did succeed in laying his specially designed cable, connecting Cornwall with the Scilly Isles. 31 miles of his specially constructed hemp covered cable was secured, but the cable failed and had to be replaced with the much tougher iron-wire protected line.
Talland Church Headstones 
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