Carl Wilhelm Victor Schaefer (c1870-1929)
1929 Obituary [1]
CARL W. V. SCHAEFER, who died on the 17th February, 1929, entered the Eastern Telegraph Co.'s service at Malta in 1884, was transferred to Gibraltar in 1887, and joined the electrical staff of the C.S. "Electra" in 1890. During the period he served afloat his test for determining the position of a break in a submarine cable was developed and published. This test is still one of "the most exact methods of localizing a break, and has the advantage of calculation for earth or fault currents instead of employing a false zero which is often erratic.
He was appointed chief electrician of the C.S. "John Pender" in 1902.
In 1906 he was transferred to the head office, and became electrician-in-chief in 1923. During the six years that he occupied this position he was instrumental in arranging for a complete change in the methods of cable-working over the very large network of cables controlled by the Eastern Associated Telegraph Companies.
The introduction of the "Regenerator" revolutionized cable-working. The first trials under traffic conditions, after some years of development work, were not completed until 1924. Up to that time it was unsatisfactory to work with more than two relay stations between terminals; now, in one instance, as many as 11 relay stations are interposed. On this particular circuit this number of relay stations fulfils the traffic requirements, but it has been proved that this is by no means the limit. Signals have, in fact, been passed satisfactorily from London to Penang (Straits Settlements) and back through 21 relay sets. Loaded cables were also introduced during his term of office and necessitated new methods of working. Another introduction was the use of thermionic valves to serve the purpose of magnifying cable signals, resulting in higher speeds and increased stability.
Keenly interested in all branches of electrical engineering, he made many friends in the profession. To those who worked with him he was always cheerful, encouraging, and beloved by all.
He was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1895, an Associate Member in 1902, and a Member in 1910.