"This is Valentia Radio (EJK) signing off on wireless telegraph. Slan libh go leir." So read the last sentences of the last Morse code message transmitted from this island early this morning, when Valentia Coast Radio in Co Kerry marked yet another piece of communications history.
The south-west island, which became the terminus for the trans-Atlantic cable in 1865, has been one of the last outposts in Europe for the 166-year-old code. "Since 1914, EJK (Valentia radio's call sign) has maintained a continuous watch on W/T (wireless telegraph)," the final transmission said, just after midnight.
"We are proud to have been of assistance to many vessels over the years using this medium. We would like to wish all radio officers and everyone listening to this transmission all the very best for the future. A wonderful era has ended, but we continue to operate on 2 megahertz and VHG to offer assistance to all seafarers to the best of our ability. God bless you all." Morse became officially obsolete in Britain and elsewhere over a year ago, when it was replaced by the satellite Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Last night's final clicking was an international affair. Ostend in Belgium, Lyngby in Denmark, Reykjavik in Iceland and Valentia had agreed to mark the event together, starting with the Belgians at 11.30 p.m. and finishing in Kerry.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, visited the station yesterday. For Gene O'Sullivan, director at Valentia, it was an emotional occasion. "I prefer good Morse to good music anytime - and I love music," he told The Irish Times. He will miss the code's familiar rhythm during duty at the station. Helsinki in Finland, Talinn in Estonia and several Spanish radio stations will continue to listen out on the 500 kHz emergency frequency, but most ships now rely on voice radio-telephone, satellite GMDSS and the emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBS) for sending distress signals.
Invented in 1832 by the American artist Samuel Morse, the simple code led to the development of the telegraph. It took Morse years to devise a working telegraph and convince investors it was worthwhile. His first telegram was "What God hath wrought".
Countless lives at sea have been saved since, and the code was also used to send messages of support from London to the French Resistance during the second World War.
The replacement, GMDSS, is an automatic and highly accurate positioning system which is routed through satellites with built-in two-way radio.
It consists of several systems based around terrestrial radio and satellite communications, including EPIRBs and digital selective calling (DSC), which is being installed in Irish coast radio stations this year.
At its core is the ability to send a distress signal, knowing it has been received and forwarded to the rescue services.
