100th Anniversary of Radio Transmission

It was 100 years ago that Bro Reginald Aubrey Fessenden transmitted the first radio message across the Atlantic from Brant Rock, Marshfield.

An old postcard
showing Bro Fessenden’s
400ft tower.
All that remains today is the base of the tower.

On Saturday 10 December brethren of Cornerstone Lodge of Duxbury and Daniel Webster Lodge of Marshfield met at the original radio tower base used by Bro Reginald Aubrey Fessenden and his company in 1906. Brethren from other Massachusetts lodges were present, as were representatives from Demolay and Rainbow.

Wor Carl E Russell, Master of Daniel Webster Lodge and Wor James J Bennette, Master of Corner Stone Lodge opened their respective lodge on the First Degree in Freemasonry in form.
Wor Carl called attention to the memory of Daniel Webster Lodge’s past Chaplain, Bro Bradford U Blackman, and commemorated Bro Brad’s past efforts to maintain the historic site.

On 2 January 1906 Fessenden transmitted the first wireless code transmission to various receiving stations. His call was ‘BO’ for Boston. On 24 December 1906, Fessenden transmitted the first wireless voice transmission to ships at sea and land stations. The original engineers, technicians, laborers and the inventor were members of various Masonic lodges in Massachusetts.

Officers of Daniel Webster Lodge
and Corner Stone Lodge assemble:
L-R
Bro. Brian M. Landry, S.Steward DWL
Bro. Paul M. Younker, Marshal DWL
Wor James J Bennette, Master of CSL
Wor. Carl E Russell, Master of DWL
 

Daniel Webster Lodge and Corner Stone Lodge undertook the restoration of this historic site and preservation of the strong Masonic ties to this significant local history which has changed the lives of everyone in the world.

Nowadays we have international emails and blogs, but before these communications were available, there were amateur radio enthusiasts – usually referred to as Hams. You can identify them by their special car license plates; you can spot their homes by the huge radio masts in their back yards; you might sometimes perceive their radio call signs in an email address. Other than that, they’re a private bunch of guys – except that they’re busy talking to each other around the world. Over history, hams have been able to report news of hurricanes, floods, coups d’etat, and other happenings, often before the press has gotten wind of them. If the worldwide web should go down, there will still be the hams. We have several brethren in the lodge who are proud to call themselves by this moniker. Notable among them is Wor Rod Morrison Jr who is retired and lives in NH. He’d like to hear from you: KYCH97NH@aol.com   You can figure out his radio ham call sign!

Pictured:
Fessenden and his staff outside the laboratory at Brant Rock

From Rural Lodge Newsletter 5
13 December 2005