Cable layers appeared in the second half of the nineteenth century when technical progress on the electric telegraph, the use of gutta-percha insulation and the development of steamers enabled the laying of deep-sea cables across the oceans.

The Marcel Bayard is the most recent cable layer used by the Post Office. She was built in 1961 in Le Havre at the Augustin Normand yards.

She is equipped to lay all types of cables and effect maintenance or repair work. She can also lay electric supply cables. To facilitate its positioning this vessel has an active rudder with a small screw lodged in the rudder.

Specifications :

Model building : Medium difficulty

Scale of drawing: 1/150th,
one plan , two photographs, one notice (french).