The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-09-13
THE SINKING OF THE DELILAH.
First Story Of the Sea, Based on the Use
of Wireless TeIegraphy.

| ..
ard; about one hundred miles off in
struments damaged; rudder broken;
can keep afioat few more hours-iS
help. ;" The rest was unreadable;
still the Taper clicked again lis
| help"
With horrible vividness he saw 500
| men and women huddled together on
| the sinking ship in the midst of the
raging tempest waiting, for that an
swer, praying heaven that it might
he eyes," trusting, believing it would
be Yes"
His hand moved slowly, steadily
now, as he spelled out four words in
the darkness.
Impossible to send help"
Five hundred men and women, hus-
bands. wives, lovers! Children, too
He had sent death.
He jumped from his chair and
rushed to the window and stared out;
black, black everywhere. Impotently
he beat his hands against the window
and mercilessly the rain and the wind
Back to his seat he rushed, and of
sudden an inspiration came. If, per-
chance, there was another boat any
where near that he could telegraph
to:
He relt the lam pand turned up the
book giving the names of vessels fitted
with wireless telegraphy. The last
boat on the list, the Scotsman, there
was just chance she might be in
the English channel, the vaguest
chance. he knew, but is was possible.
Hastily he telegraphed now: Am
trying to signal Scotsman; if within
distance will send her to help YOU
He waited for an answer but none
came. Had she already gone down?
If so-hastily he changed the signal
call-the machine clicked-and wait
ed. He was fighting the storm now,
fighting Nature who gives no quarter;
fighting earth who opcn-mouthed,
painted for 500 lives.
Why din't she answer? Wherever
she was she should receive the mes
IN. S. Delllah sinking fast. Are
you near enough to help?"
Presently the answer:
Fear impossible but will look out |
for terrifying to beat down Channel |
myself" Then after long pause: Am
trying to get into communication with
her"
Again Priest flashed: For Gods
sake do your best-500 passengers"
He waited and for an instant the
silence lifted and he heard an exult-
ant shrek from the wind and sea out
side and the house trembled. Where
we're those 500 souls?
Click.
Close over the table he bent and
leld his breath.
Cannot keep afloat until the morn
ng. Have you been able to send help?"
Yes. Spoken Scotsman betting
Town Channel. She is looking for you
Keep af1oat as long as possible. ALI
AN do" his fingers ceased to move,
he horror of having done no more,
lie WedhuSssS Ol tudL MESSAGE. |
Again the Taper moved, and now he
cared what it would spell.
Thanks. Don't leave instrument.
with us long as possible
II until Delilah Sinks
A few minutes elapsed and no fur
her message was sent; then, sudden
Y with long pauses between each let
er-
I'VE are getting out the boats" An.
ther pause that semed hours. A
ash of lightning momentarily filled
he room with blue glare, and the
rash of thunder deafened Priest for
moment. When the last rumble
led away he heard the wireless in
trument again clicking. Had he
Kissed something during that appalling
rash? Have launched one of the
oats" A pause that seemed to last
Or hours. Then, Boat has over
lrned with 20 passengers. All lost"
mother wait longer than the first. In
Priest saw men and wom-
n struggling in the relentless waves.
Ie pictured the others budding at
ne side of the helpless liner, and at
ach flash Of lightning thought he
ould see the CHASTITY terror on pale
ices. Good heaven, they will drown,
rown!" he cried aloud, in agony. |
gain the instrument licked out it's
lteous message: 1.-TWO more boats !
unched. Both overturned. Fear
ust abandon hope; fast filing"
A long pause. Priest sat motionless, i
is eyes steadfast on the machine '
'ldly ticking of approaching doom ]
} the only man in the world who +
lew and could not save. t
Then-"Passengers have behaved a
'lendidly. Perfect order; no panic"
A still longer pause. Priest dropped
ON the chair to his knees and began t
7sterically to pray, while he watched u
it'll staring eyes the Taper and \
ard the click-dot-beath ammerlike b
to his brain. b
Passengers four hundred and forty t
two fifty men, one seventy women. f,
'enty children-remainder crew, Off T;
rs" Ht. 1
Save them, save them" cried
lest aloud, and the storm shrieked