The Story of Marconi's Steam Yacht 'Elettra'

A talk by Peter Watkins (M0BHY)

Part of Building the Wireless Age, a unique Marconi exhibition

At the original Marconi Wireless and Telegraphy works in Hall Street Chelmsford,
the world's first wireless factory which Marconi established in 1898.

Retired Ship's Radio Officer and active Radio Ham Peter Watkins' talk starts with the chance purchase of a photograph in a Cornish antique shop. He will tell the intriguing story of Marconi's floating laboratory which includes the yacht being requisitioned in two World Wars: by the British in WW1 and the Germans in WW2! As a measure of his enduring fascination with all things SY Elettra, he has built a large detailed model of the yacht which will be on display, adding a perfect extra dimension to this event!

As a follow-up, Peter's brother-in-law and retired director of Bolingbroke and Wenley, Richard Wenley, will give a short talk on the part his family played in the history and ownership of the Hall St building and other Marconi sites around Chelmsford.

Elettra image from http://www.offshore-radio.de/.

Please book through Eventbrite: www.chelmsfordcivicsociety.eventbrite.com

Tickets are £5. All proceeds from talks and merchandise will be used to cover exhibition project costs. This is a volunteer-led initiative.

Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society is proud to support Marconi Science WorX: Chelmsford Civic Society in collaboration with BBC Essex.

When
6 May 2016 from 19:15 to 21:15
Location
19 Hall Street (Former Marconi Works)
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0HG
United Kingdom
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