Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-12
The Wonders of TeIegraphy

when I read OF the wireless messages
which were sent through the ar from
the sinking ocean liner Republic last
saturday morning. and which were
heard and answered By six other yes
sells within a radius OF hundred miles
going in every direction from the re
public. 1 was ready 10 echo the mes
go which passed under the Atlantic
ocean half a century ago Wheh thS
rrst submarine cable was laid
II seemed so wonderful nifty years
aeo that speech might be carried across
and under oceans that the nrst great
message read: What wonders 6ou
hath wrought"
1 am sure IL will always De "onueI
how the wireless message can De nuns
out in mid ocean and be taken down
by ships many miles distant and re-
corded with accuracy lnueeu' """'
wonders hath God wrought!
When I was at the St Louis eNpOsi-
t1on. acting as Juror in the agrieul-
tural building for the fair directors
made inquiry as TO these wireless mes
saEes. and took an early opportunity
10 go TO the place and see Tor myseiA-
put what saw was so simple and ap-
uarentIv unfmpOrtant that l only FOUND
our that a message could be TRANSMITTED
TO a given point, through the atnos-
phere, such as you and 1 nave oeen
breathing ever since we were born' ana
must continue TO breathe so long as We
live.
ms II vas. when two great passen-
ser vessels eolIided before day last sat
urday morning and nearly two thousand
-es were pIunging TO watery grave
A wireless operator, aboard the III
fated Republic, begun 10 operate the
wireless telegraph. and before the great
steamship SUNK beneath the waves there
we're six ships rushing TO the place
where the wireless operator dlreetea
Them 10 gather, and nearly all that
multitude OF people were rescued from
Death
a few were crushed to death when
one vessel rammed the other. but the
wireless saved every one that could De
saved after that wild message went
abroad through the toggy Atmosphere
that covered the upper Atlantic ocean
The heroic operator on the Republic
stood calm at his post, and so long as
hts supplies lasted he threw out the
message. trusting 20 its power 10 nnd
rescuing ships a hundred miles away.
No wonder his name was applauded IN
congress last Monday when the mar
Vicious story OF that shipwreck and his
herOism and skill were told
II Jack Binn. the wireless operator,
mad lost his head i'm the fright and
confusion that prevailed. great ocean
horror would have been recorded instead
OF this wonderful saving power that
seems 70 be lodged In the air We
breathe and which prevails everywhere
on land and sea
The Republic had started from New
. York 10 the Mediterranean but few
hours before II was frst-ciasS ocean
liner, splendidly equipped and fun OF
weII-t0-do people going TO the old
world for pleasure or business.
The captain was experienced, the
crew efficfent and the ship provided
with the best that money and skill
could provide.
The passengers went 10 their berths
that calm Friday night without. q
dream OF danger, so near the starting
point. were these restful passengers.
Another vessel. the Florida, was COM
ing TO New York. loaded with Italian
Immigrants. who were left homeless and
destitute by the earthquake at Mes
sina-
They had Travelled safely and expect
ed TO land their cargo Of passengers
and freight that Saturday morning in
New York
In the fog one vessel rammed the
other and both ships were filled with
hOrror-stricken people at once. The
Republic only kept afiOat so long as
the buIkheads were able TO withstand
the pressure. but glorious Jack Binn
DIDN'T lose his head-he piled the wire