LA PRUA DELL' ELETTRA!

 

Fine e ricordo della Nave di Guglielmo Marconi.  

 BOAT OF THE ELETTRA

The end and the memory of Guglielmo Marconi’s ship

By Angelo Ricci

“ In the land of Zara lies the ship, still close to our heart

Whose destiny reserved by the fate from that instant on, was our burden too”.

 

I can’t recall where I read these lines referring to the destiny of the “special ship”, owned by Senator Guglielmo Marconi to carry out his most important studies. Marconi is the inventor of wireless telegraphy, as it was called long time ago; he was awarded with the title of Marquess and President of the Royal Academy of Italy, created in “replacement”, we could say, of the famous “National Academy of Lincei”, later rightly re-established in our Country.

Who is well informed has never stopped criticizing the voluntary and resolved loss of this historic relic. The “Elettra” was, therefore, an extraordinary ship, as radio amateurs all over the world know so well.

It arrived in Trieste precisely in 1962, relocated there to be mended until its very last day, as it was decided by its owner: the Ministry of Postal Services, that wanted it to end up as “shattered parts” and rusty remains. Its bow was seen in the San Marco Arsenal of Fin Cantieri.

After twenty years of shameful “remnant”, it was freed from its rust by Anzellotti, meritorious for having carried out this worthwhile rescue operation. Well defended by the special varnish, it was destined to the naval station in Trieste, queen of land and sea. Long live people of Trieste! We can say that, because, thanks to this relocation, they could admire this gift awarded to history, yet throughout this same history it was offended for so long, in times of oblivion and in opposition to the lively protest of the scientist’s daughter, the Princess Elettra Giovanelli Marconi, who was glad in the end to hear about the – partially - positive destiny reserved for her father’s ship remains.

But the “technical” history could not stop at this point, as the bow was readjusted and relocated to the square of Padriciano, Trieste, in a visible area in front of the laboratory of electromagnetic research called: “Trieste is only a few kilometers away”.

Here we are, looking at its bow, historical as the whole Elettra! It looks like if radio amateurs had all materially participated in the rescue of such eminent “relic”, which in Padriciano represents an eternal value in the Carso - so dear to Trieste as well as to the rest of this Country - for all Italians. This is true to the point that Arts was mentioned in relation to its memory in the so-called official intention. Arts, transforming and representing a brave “homo de metalli”, as the artist Giò Pomodoro is considered. Tourists, Italian or foreign, can admire the work made and what is to be made in the future, driving the highway A4 going to Trieste, the city close to our heart.

 

Demonte, November 30, 2008