Sub-Project MC 12.3 From Ship to Shore. Wireless Telegraphy and Ships' Newspapers after 1900

Project Leader: Carolin Matjeka

In this roject I focussed on newspapers produced at sea with the help of wireless telegraphy. During their voyages, passengers spent time in between places and thus could perceive ocean travel as a liminal experience. Until the use of wireless telegraphy became a common practice in the 1910s, time spent on ships in transit was characterized by isolation. But since the Interwar period ships’ newspapers were an indispensable part of the travelers’ daily routine on board. The expanding web of wireless shore stations and the extension of reception range enabled communication for ships during their whole voyage. Thus up-to-date news reached the ship, with ships’ newspapers supplying worldwide news from the main news agencies. In addition, other contents like advertisements, serialized fiction, riddles and articles about miscellaneous, provides invaluable information about the travel industry at the beginning of the 20th century, the consuming habits, life on board, reading practices and literary as well as news interests of ocean going travelers in their different roles as migrants, tourists, business or leisure traveler.