The San Francisco call., 1899-10-08
NARCON|S s
SYSTEM MEETS
ALL DEMANDS
Wireless Telegraphy Now
Firmly Established on
This Side of Atlantic.
TRIUMPH OF WIZARD
People Ashore Informed Of Move
ments of Yachts Before Those
on Excursion Boats.
PONCE IS IN A COLLISION
Sending Vessel Struck by Drifting Steamer,
and Signor Marconi Is Enabled to GIVE
an Additional Example Of the Value
Of His Wonderful Work.
PONCE IS IN A COLLISION
Special Dispatch to The Call.

n EW YORK. Oct. 7.-Again to-day
IL | did the Marconi system of wireless
VI telegraphy meet every demand
Y made upon it. All during the day
Il Signor Marconi kept the yachts In
view, at the same time giving those ashore
almost as plain an understanding of the
maneuvertng that was being done as was
enjoyed by the excursionists.
Unfortunately for those on the steam
ship Ponce, the view of the start of the
yachts which was magnificent one, was
marred by what for a moment promised
to be an accident of serious results. The
Cambridge, a light-draft steamer from
Baltimore, was caught in the current and
drifted across the bow OF the Ponce. Cap
tain Lloyd was on the bridge with "Dyna-
mite Johnnie" O'Brien. Both saw that a
crash was imminent, and in moment the
great whistle Of the Ponce sounded ter
rifle warning, while the signal TO the en-
gine room set the propeller in motion for
a sternway.
The momentum of the Ponce, however,
was too great, and she went crashing into
the smaller craft, whose railing was
crushed in and a hole made in her hull.
For a time 1t was feared that the Cam
bridge would sink, and her captain asked
the Ponce to stand by ready to take off
the passengers should it become neces-
sary. All was excitement on the Ponce,
and for a few moments panic was mar
rowly averted on the Cambridge. Had
there been a larger crowd on the unfortu-
nate boat there certainly would have been
loss of life AS it was, several women
tainted, while others were restrained
from hurting themselves overheard into
the water.
The Ponce did not have time to back
out Of the hole her nose had made in the
Cambridge before Signor Marcont was
giving the news of the accident to the
operators at Navesink. Fortunately 1t
was learned before great excitement could
be caused ashore that the damage to the
Cambridge was slight and the passengers
were in no danger.
While all this was going on the final
signal for the race had been given, and
the Columbia and the Shamrock went
over the line with as pretty start as has
ever been seen in any race for the Amer
ica's cup. Just as soon as 1t was deter
mined that the Cambridge was in no dan
ger all eyes were again turned on the
Yachts. and bulletins of the race, which
had been interrupted, were resumed.
The attempt of the Shamrock to blanket
and take the wind from the Columbia was
flashed to the bulletin boards in New York
City long before it was known by those
who were watching the maneuver whether
II would be successful. Again, the expert
menting with the sails which was going
on was fully described by Signor Marconi.
Often as a certain sail would be carried in
the stops into position, those on shore
watching the race through Signor Mar
conirs eyes knew what was being at
tempted before the canvas was given to
the wind. Finally, when about a mile
from the start, the Columbia gradually
drew away from the challenger, the sue
cess of the American yacht was bulletlned
before half the boats length separated
the two contestants. AS usual, the ap-
paratus employed by Signor Marconi was
accurate in it's work, and was watched by
all who could crowd near the chart room.
Aboard the Ponce was Lieutenant
Commander Hubert Won Rebeurpaschwitz,
naval attache of the German Embassy in
Washington, who officially represented
his Government in watching the opera
tions of Signor Marconi. Although the
German was intensely interested in the
contest going on between the Columbia
and Shamrock he seldom took his atten-
tion from the apparatus used in sending
messages ashore. AT the close of the day
he EXPRESSED himself as more than pleas
ed with what he had seen.
1.-THE Herald Is to be congratulated"
said the lieutenant commander. This
has been the first time that [ have seen
the Columbia and Shamrock together, but
ON Tuesday and Thursday Signor Mar
conf. through the Herald, made 1t posi-
BILE for me to watch the yachts almost as
we'll as l have been able to do to-day
However, l had no adequate idea OF the
Importance of the work being done until
saw for myself. The world will accept
this discovery just as it has accepted
everything else, and in a very short time
the people will cease to wonder. But it
Ia all really marvellous. Signor Marconi
has gone far in advance of his contem-
porary workers in the field Of practical
science as applied to electricity. No
doubt England Is already making ar
rangements to use wireless telegraphy in
the war which impends in South Africa
There 1t will be given a severe test. which
l have no doubt will be successfully met
Here we are away out on the ocean with
out tangible connection with the land
and vet the Herald is enabled to tell us
that Queen Victoria has called out the
reserves Her Majesty's action makes
it appear as though peace is now i'm
possible yet. Important as her act Is 1t
is not. In my mind. of so great Importance
as is the discovery which has made it
nossible for us to know that 1t had been
taken. OF course 1t is impossible for me
to say how much Importance my report
to the German Government will have |
but I venture the assertion that the ex-
ample of the Italian Government using
the Marconi system on all it's war vessels. !
will speedily be followed by every other |
naval power.
From the Ponce upward of 1000 words |
were bulletined ashore during the yacht
race. and more than the usual number of
private messages were sent. Some of the
latter were cabled to England, while 9TH
ers were intended for friends in distant
cities in the United States
In addition to sending to the Ponce
news of Queen Victoria's action in call |