26 March 2001: The Flying Telegraph, a new temporary exhibition in the Gallery

Press Release - 26 March 2001

2001 Summer Exhibition at Porthcurno : "The Flying Telegraph"
During the Second World War, 32 'Warrior Birds' were awarded medals for outstanding service. This year's summer exhibition at the Museum of Submarine Telegraphy tells the unusual and fascinating story of how these incredible pigeons carried secret communications and saved many lives.

As a message carrier, the homing pigeon played an important role for many thousands of years. With the coming of the electric telegraph and wireless in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the civilian pigeon post began to disappear but pigeons remained a vital means of communication in times of war.

Visitors to 'The Flying Telegraph' can learn the history of pigeon communications in times of war. They can discover how the secret messages were carried, see the medals they were awarded, see a pigeon parachute and the special containers used to transport them. Hundreds of photographs show how the birds were transported in aircraft and at sea and record the tales of their bravery.

In total 200,000 pigeons were supplied to the National Pigeon Service during World War II. Birds were used by the Royal Air Force as standard equipment on all bomber and reconnaissance planes and by the army and intelligence services.

The photographs and many original objects that make up the exhibition are from the collection of Dan and Pat Humphries which Dan began to gather as an officer in the Royal Air Force.

Contact and Further Information :
The exhibition is open from 1st April to 26th October 2001
Closed Saturdays except July and August when we are open 7 days a week.
From November open Mondays only.
10am - 5 pm last admission 4pm

Admission to the exhibition is included in the standard museum ticket price £4 adults, Family £10.50, Concessions £3.50, Student £2.50, Children £1.80

For more information on the exhibition and other developments at the museum this summer such as our new radio display, special events and educational and family activities please contact:
Mary Godwin Tel: 01736 810478
Mark Steadman Tel: 01736 810 811
Museum of Submarine Telegraphy, Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance TR19 6JX
Fax: 01736 810640
Website: www.porthcurno.org.uk
Email: info@tunnels.demon.co.uk

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