1955 Submarine Cable Break Story

“SUBMARINE CABLES AT THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS”

(Internal OPALCO memo)

“…At approximately 7:00 P.M., on April 13, 1955, the submarine cable between the San Juan Island and Lopez Island failed. It took until 4:00 P.M. of May 9, 1955 to repair and place it back into service. The cost of making such repairs was $32,294.27. In addition the excess costs of generating, above the wholesale power costs, amounted to approximately $3,951.00. Thus the total “recorded” cost of the cable failure is $36,245.27…”

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