Samuel Canning

[1] In 1852, Canning turned to submarine telegraphy, and with Messrs. Glass & Elliot laid in 1855–6 his first cable: it connected Cape Breton Island with Newfoundland.

[1] When the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company was formed in 1865, Canning was appointed its chief engineer.

[1] For these services, Canning was knighted in 1866, and Luís I of Portugal conferred on him the Order of St. Jago d'Espada.

[1] After retiring from the Telegraph Construction Company, Canning practiced as a consulting engineer in matters connected with telegraphy, and, among other work, superintended the laying of the Marseilles-Algiers and other cables for the India Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Company.

[1] Canning died at 1 Inverness Gardens, Kensington, on 24 September 1908, and was buried in Kensal Green cemetery.