The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-04
NEWS FOR OCEAN TRAVELLERS
THE PAPERS MADE POSSIBLE BY
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

u - - . 30 AsAao 4W b1I II OSOH HE n
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.
People In Midecean Kept I'm Touch Nova.
days with tho Rest OF the Worid-lAttIe
weekly Newspapers Printed On Three
Lines Now-How Thoy Are Got Out.
When the steamship New York crossed
the ocean last week from Southampton
to this port small newspaper was printed
and circulated among the passengers on Sat-
urday. The steamer had then been at sea
for nearly week. but this newspaper con-
tanned real news; and among the items
published was the fact that Sir Michael
Herbert. the British Ambassador to this
country, had died.
This news had been flashed by wireless
telegraphy from this city on Thursday
to Nantucket Shoals Lghtship, and early
the next morning the operator on the
ightship got into communication with the
steamer and sent the item. 1t was printed
in the paper which Is published once during
the voyage across the ocean, and the pas
sengers were able to learn just " hat had
happened while they were at sea.
Some years ago papers were printed
on large ocean steamers during the voyage
across the ocean, but they merely con-
tanned accounts Of the voyage with few
funny items about some Of the passengers
and details Of the concert which had been
given on board. Now, with the aid of the
wireless telegraph with which many Of
the larger steamers are equipped. the pas
sengers are kept In touch with the rest Of
the world from the time they leave land
until they reach their destination.
In some measure this, for many. docs
away with the charm Of an ocean voyage.
Many have taken the trip across the ocean
in order to get perfect rest and forget for
. few days what is going on at home.
The week spent on the water used to be
ono during which it was impossible to
know anything Of the doings Of the outside
world. and this was rest; but now with the
use Of the wireless telegraph vessels often
keep In touch with the shore on one side
Of the ocean or the other all the way over.
Only last week the steamships Iceland
and Minnehaha left different ports on the
other side about the same time. They
did not sight each other until nearing this
port, but they were in communication all
the way.
A game Of chess was arranged between
them. one board being on the Iceland
and one on the Minnehaha. The Minnehaha
won; and In the paper which is published
on the iceland full account Of the game
was printed. giving every move made.
The American Line, the Cunard Line
and the Red Star Line are the only ones
that at present publish these papers, or
bulletins, as they are called on board. Other
lines are considering the advisability Of
doing the same thing; and with the improve
ment that Is bound to come in wireless
telegraphy 1t is only a question OF time
when passengers crossing the ocean may
have newspapers furnished at their break
fast each morning.
All first class steamers have a small
printing plant on board. This is used to
print the menus, concert programmes and
other little things that are needed. The
press is a small hand machine and the type
Is always in good condition.
The purser has had added to his other
duties that Of editor and publisher Of the
and although 1t Is very doubtful
II any purser has had a newspaper mans
training. in tho makeup Of their bulletins
hey usually show something Of the news
instinct.
While the steamer is crossing the ocean
Il Is for a long time in touch with the port
It has just left. Then it gets in touch with
steamers either astern OF it or coming in an
opposite direction and news is gathered
and exchanged in this way.
As these messages are received they are
handed to the purser, and II Of sufficient
Importance they are posted in the saloon
When the voyage is nearing it's end and
news has been obtained from the country
10 which the vessel is going the purser
selects the more important items and ar
ranges them for publication in the bulletin.
The Cunard Bulletin, as it is called, is
printed on heavy coated paper. Under
The title Is halftone picture Of the part
81 the hemisphere over which the vessel
travels. The British Isles are on one side
and tall wireless tower is shown at Liver
pool The tracks OF the steamers are
irawn across the ocean and the location
,f New York and Boston is clearly shown
md another tall tower stands between
hose two cities.
Underneath this cut are printed the name
If the steamer, the port Of departure and
he port Of entry an d the date OF publication
Il is four-page sheet measuring 81 by
~ inches.
Then comes the news, under the heading
II Marconigrams. The names Of the vessels
Ind points with which the steamer has been
n communication are printed and are
ollowed by news items. The steamship
Iucania, which arrived here on Sept. "a,
rom Liverpool, had among its news items
he following
FRIDAY. Sept. rs. A. My wireless
from Nantucket Lightship:
Owing to failure to raise S. O0, 900 on over
iue loans the Consolidated Superior Com
oany collapsed.
John NJ Hall resigned the presidency Of
he New York, New Haven and Hartford
Railroad.
The stock market this week has been gen.
rally weak and quiet. Cotton closed weak.
10 points on
The death Is announced Of Frederick s.
Iibbs. late a prominent politician in New
York.
Two pages are given to these items, and
he third Is devoted to items Of interest on
,oard ship. The programme of the con-
ert, at which John Kendrick Bangs pre-
ided, is published. According to the
Mr.. Bangs made some remarks,
nd this announcement is in capitals.
Then there are the details of the run,
4 ut from thu ln0 I'm tho fonrtb
age is picture in half-tone of the steamer,