Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-14
MESSAGES SENT BOTH WAYS
Between the Inman Liner and the Steamers
She Passed on Her Last Voyage
Over the Atlantic.
SENSATION AMONG TIE PASSENGERS.
Pleasure Seekers Will Draw the Line at Picking News
on the Gables.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIsPATcH.I
On BOARD STEAMSHIP !

/ "a great problem, IL is DelleVeQ, mas been
solved and information as to tine caprices of
fortune have been caught up in mid ocean
by some mysterious force and in some
mysterious way. Electricity, that subtle
power of which so little is yet known, is to
be used in communicating between moving
ships on the ocean. The process seems easy
when it is all explained by the genius of
those who have conceived the idea of cap
turing sparks of lightning in the air, on
the ground and along the water, but to the
layman all this seems myth, and 1 wonder
how many doubling ones will read this story.
What fun we have had on this voyage in
watching and wondering at the new use to
which this marvellous force is being put.
This Dalatial floating hotel with its LOO
souls on board, is the vehicle, and many of
those going ashore at this moment to make
trip through Ireland carry with them new
| experience gained at sea. How it came
about 10 one knows, and how far it will
enter into the economy or expenditure of the
future in life and property remains in the
hand Of time. The story of sparks and
flashes, as my mind gathers it, is an interest
ing one.
MYSTERY OF A BEAUTY.
A round-faced, rosy-cheeked girl walked
the deck of this wonderful ship for two
days after our departure. Her step was
| springy and her whole manner that of a
woman thoroughly at her ease, yet, she did
not look to be over % years of age Oeca-
sionally man wearing the air of an artist
was seen speaking to her. Generally she
was alone, and frequently leaned over the
side of the vessel, as if in a deep study of
something in the water. She did not appear
melancholy in the least but bright and
happy. Her manner was so unlike that of
the rest of the guests of this modern giant
of the ocean that before a day was out,
everyone OF the first saloon passengers were
wondering who she was.
She seemed constantly on the move and
there was business-like purpose in all her
actions, far away from the sleepy and stupid
ocean traveller who is simply bent on pleas
ure. This young lady had the best accom-
modations on this great ship which seems
faultless in construction, equipment and
service, yet appeared to be alone, excepting
the mysterious man who occasionally talked
with her in business-like way. A number
of the people endeavored to become ac-
quainted with the fair young woman who
was attracting SO much attention, but while
pleasant to all, she would drift away from
any attempt to become on intimate terms
with her.
STRANGE INSTRUMENT.
Twice on the second night out she was
seen alone in the bow of the ship with a
strange-looking instrument in her hand
mounted on the new metal railing of the
vessel, which seemed to have Just been
placed there. A number of the passengers
watched her every movement, and reported
that after an hour of effort at something
no one knew what-she folded up the little
case in her hand and walked rapidly toward
her stateroom with look of disappointment
upon her face. This incident only increased
the curiosity of the passengers, for it was not
five minutes before those who were able to
sit up knew all about the strange occur
renee, as those who travel the ocean know
that information more or less correct travels
faster on shipboard than anywhere else in
the world.
The southern course this yeari is a popular
one on account of the amount OF ice which
seems to have broken loose from the coasts
of Northumberland Island and Greenland
and hoated south into the eddies below the
banks of Newfoundland. 1t is TO shun
them that the 1nman line of steamers take a
more extreme southern course than any
other, and have met no ice this season. In
fact, no frst-class steamship of any of the
lines except the Cunarders that sail to Bos-
ton have reported any ice except the Nor
MAMMA.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION.
Bur the City of New York sailed mora
than hundred times out of the short course
to be safe from those floating mountains
which come down from the north, a menace
to those who go 10 sea. She thus lost some
in speed, but gained in public confidence.
This far southern course takes US away from
the general line of travel, and no ships were
sighted until the third day out, when a
number hove in sight. A ship at sea is an
event worthy of consideration. The passen-
gers are all notified that one is in sight.
Everyonei is anxious to look at theapproach-
ing craft, but no one on the City of New
York was SO eager as the mysterious young
lady with the singular-lookiDg instrument
in her hand.
Perhaps it was O'Clock in the afternoon
when the FIRST sensation of the voyage was
sprung by the announcement of the ap-
proach of Cunarder. The young woman
and the strange young man with her walked
rapidly toward the front part of the boat
and stopped at q point where the metal lin
ing was, the very place where she had been
seen the night before. For q few moments
they were in close conversation and both
seemed 70 grow nervous as the two magnif-
cent crafts came closer together. Possibly
q mile separated them when the two grew
serious and seemed to be debating about
their work.
THE FIRST MESSAGE.
They were in the same half excited stats.
until the Aurania, which they were eyeing
with so much anxiety, had passed far astern
of Us. Then the two walked suddenly
toward the after pa rt of the vessel, secluded
themselves and she began writing. It was
not two minutes before the man left her
side with paper in his hand and walked
toward the captains cabin under the bridge.
The digniied old tar who has sailed the
ocean for 40 years and had many remarka-
BILE adventures read this message in regular
telegraphic form:
Captain Watkins, City Of New York:
Crossed longitude So Clear weather No ice.
MCKAY, Captain Aurania.
The captain smiled at these good tidings,
but never said word to a soul on board
about this new experiment in communica-
ting between moving vessels. Two hours
later tramp" was sighted and the hand
some woman and the mysterious young man
were again on the bow Of the ship and I've.
minutes later the following dispatch was
picked off from somewhere or somehow by
the little brass machine the young lady
operated:
Captain Watkins, City Of New York.
This is the Missouri, bound from London to
Baltimore. Weather fair no ice, Captain