The Washington times., 1909-01-27

NEW YORK Jan. zt.-EldlHly snow
ing the effects of the harassing expert
ences he had gone through iu the last
few days, John r. Biuus. the MarcOnI
operator who stood at his post on the
Republic and flashed forth the mes
sages that brought aid TO the sinking
liner, has written the story of his eX-
periences since the moment he was
hurled from his berth when the Florida
rammed the Republic last Saturday
until the Baltic brought safety TO crew
and passengers.
Here is NIr. Binns narrative in his
own words;
Il had just turned i'm for few hours
after the previous dayS work when the
shock of the impact shook me out of
my bunk. A crunching, ripping noise
followed as the FIorida's bows crum-
pied up on our side. The panels and
side of our cabin fell i'm, one panel be-
ing smashed to sphnters. but, fortu-
nately, the wireless apparatus was un-
hurt and remained standing.
Five minutes after the collision the
lights all through the ship went out, and
we were in total darkness. ] tried TO
make my way to the bridge i'm order to
report TO the captain that nay gear was
all right, but, unable 10 make my way
through the wreckage, returned to my
wrecked cabin. The dynamos being
stopped. greatly handicapped the work
ing distance OF our station but the ac-
cumulators were I'm good condition. and
so 1 Immediately sounded the e. Q. D.
signal, which announced to surrounding
snips the peril of our position.
REPORTS to Captain.
81 reported TO Captain sealby that
everything was all right with my wire
less instruments, and he FASTENED TO
reassure the passengers, brave but
anxious. with this most comforting bit
OF news.
''This having been done, 1 returned
Immediately to my cabin and had the
satisfaction of gaining the attention OF
our station at Siasconsett on Nantucket
Island. This is the message flashed TO
A. II. Gilman, the operator there;
s. The Republic. We are shipWrcck-
ed. Stand by for captains message.
This was the answer that was i'm
mediately flashed back to us:
q" All right, old man. Where are YOU"
AT this stage. our CHIEF officer came,
and anxiously inquired if i had yet
got in communication with anybody
and was greatly relieved to learn that
SiascOnsett had answered me. he al
once hasteued to the captain 10 convey
this intelligence. Captain Sedlby Ihen
sent me this message for transmlsSlon-
Republic Tammed by unknown steam-
er. TWenJy-s1N miles southwest OF Nan
1ucket Lightship Badly in need OF
immediate assistance, but no dansssT 10
life SEALBG-
.'Ioive minutes later Siasc5nsett in
formed me that he had sent for the
revenue cutter Aeushnet, then lying al
WOOD Hole, and thas u was 20 proceed
20 assist US. Word had also been sent
10 the steamships Baltic, la Lorraine
and City OF Everett
Working Under Difficulties.
II was now working under extreme
difficulties, as il was very dark ] had
unfortunately broken the lever Of my
sending key just after the lights went
ont, but eventually managed al right
by holding the broken lever with one
hand and sending with the other
''Then came the first respite I had
had since the force Of the crash had
hurled me from my bunk. II was now
getting light. and with the hrst streaks
of dawn. 7 was enabled 10 look about
me and comprehend the damage that
had been wrought, together with the
extreme peril OF our position This was
more NlHIAlN DHDAEl llb -4a-li- 10 AllH men,
glanciug at the floor just outside my
wrecked cabin. j saw the maugled
bodies of Two passenger
81 was soon busy again. however
and once in communication with the
Siasconsett station, doing my utmost
10 locate the Baltic. I could hear the
Baltic's wireless signals as they were
being flashed ashore, but my disabled
spark was too weak 10 reach the Bal
tics operator.
Baltic Gets Signals.
"Just as the Florida returned 10 us
the Baltic began 20 pick up my sig
nails, and from then on ] was kept
busy notifying that ship of our posi-
tion, and from that time forward IT
was steady interchange of MESA ges
between Tattersau and Balf0ur the
Baltic's operators, and myself.
"Early iu the afternoon the LOr-
ralne was able TO read us. and we
began 10 give her steering directions,
but IL was very difficult for her navi-
gator TO find as on account of the
blanket OF fog that euveIoped the sea.
The hours Of the afternoon dragged
slowly, and they were dIed with
anxiety for the captain and all on
board. Darkness set in early, super