The faith of the telegraphs - developing story
The fate of the telegraphs - developing story
GTS FINNJET had four sets of engine telegraphs. One on the bridge, two on both sides of the bridge wings and a split set in the engine control room.
The first telegraphs were installed in 1976 at the Wärtsilä Hietalahti yard in Helsinki. They served on the ship until 2004 and were removed by Aker Finnyards in Rauma. The new telegraphs were installed in 2004 at Rauma.
This gives a total number of eight to ten GTS FINNJET telegraphs. Whether there were spare telegraphs onboard, this is not yet known to me.
A while ago, I the writer, mentioned in the society internal update of searching for items removed from the ship in earlier dockings. I mentioned my wish to find especially these highly symbolic items. On the 24th of March in 2009, Mr Veikko Haapanen (GTS FINNJET Chief Engineer) instructed me to call Mr Pekka Törmänen (GTS FINNJET Electrician). Mr Törmänen had salvaged the original starboard telegraph removed in 2004 and was willing to hand over the item for the society.
At this time our society is still very small and does not have a dedicated office or museum. We agreed that perhaps the item should be loaned first to a suitable museum. I sent word to the Maritime Museum of Finland and await for their reply.
This table shows the currents status of the telegraphs
| Inst.: | Location on the ship: | Manufacturer: | Type: | Removed: | Fate: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Bridge forward center | AEG-Telefunken | Twin | 2004 Rauma | Seamen's Church (Rauma?) |
| 1976 | Portside bridge wing | AEG-Telefunken | Twin | 2004 Rauma | Destroyed during removal |
| 1976 | Starboard bridge wing | AEG-Telefunken | Twin | 2004 Rauma | Finnjet Historical Society |
| 1976 | Engine control room | AEG-Telefunken | Split | 2004 Rauma | Kotka Maritime Museum (both) |
| 2004 | Bridge center console | SAM Electronics | L.Twin | 2008 Alang | Unknown |
| 2004 | Portside bridge wing | SAM Electronics | S.Twin | 2008 Alang | Unknown |
| 2004 | Starboard bridge wing | SAM Electronics | S.Twin | 2008 Alang | Unknown |
| 2004 | Engine control room | SAM Electronics | L.Split | 08-09 Alang | Unknown |
Below is a picture of the original starboard telegraph with Captain Jouko Rajahalme. Captain Rajahalme served on GTS FINNJET from 1977 onwards for eight and a half years.
Please help in locating the rest of the telegraphs. Edited by Risto Kempas