Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-18
AMATEURS SERIOUS HlNpRANce
To Steamship Carpathia in Attempts
At WireIess Communication.

Boston April 17.-Hurrying To New
York with the only known survivors of
the Titanic, the steamship Carpathia.
today. came within the zone of wire
less communication of nearly a score
of stations alloat and ashore, along
the New England coast. The operators
of most of these had been straining
their ears and propelling their me-
chanical voices for two days in an eff
fort to learn something of the story
which the survivors are bringing to
shore of their experiences.
Atmospheric conditions during the
day were good, but as the Carpathia
more closely approached the coast.
and was able to reach shore stations
directly, instead of by relays, the anna.
tours combined with the elements to
prevent clear communication. Sias.
conset station on Nantucket. with
which the Carpathia came into direct
communication, late in the day, re-
ported, tonight, that the activity of
the amateurs was seriously interfer-
ing with an exchange of messages
with the Carpathia, and further, that
the large amount of static electricity
in the air was also operating against
their efforts to converse. A northeast
storm which was in progress in the
immediate vicinity of the Carpathia
was partly responsible for the poor at
mospheric conditions.
The wireless operators and the op-
orators at commercial and private sta
tons whose activities were interfering
with the conversation between the Car
pathia and the Siasconset station,
We're asked to stand by meaning to
stop sending. in order that the Car
pathia might be able to send messages
so urgently sought on many sides But
although the amateurs were told by
the Carpathia operators that unless
the mesa geS were disposed of soon
it might be impossible to communicate
further, if the interference continued.
The Carpathia's wireless equipment
allows of direct transmitting of only
$50 miles. During the forenoon and in
the early afternoon she had several
messages relayed by other vessels, in
the course of which she communicated
with Cape Sable station, 1000 miles to
the north, With the Chester. estimated
to be less than 100 miles away and at
the station at Siasconset. The opening
of communication with Siasconset was
followed by lengthy exchange of
radiog-am messages between the shore
station and the Carpathia. Survivors of
the Titanic notified anxious relatives
and friends of their safety Many of
these relatives and their friends had
learned from published lists of res
cued of the safety of those dear To
them and messages of congratulations
were sent by them. Steamship officials
communicated details connected with
the ritanics loss and the disposition OF
her rescued.
Meantime the scout cruisers Ches-
ter and Salem were sending a list of
the third class passengers saved,
which had been sent to the cruisers BY
the Carpathia during the day.
Throughout the night, there was the
same criss-cross of radiograms
Toward midnight wireless condi-
tions became better and the Siascon-
set station made efforts to pick up
the Carpathia. but without success.
The Siasconset operator called re-
peatedly, but received no answer from
the Cunarder 1t was not known
whether the Carpathia had passed out
of range or whether her wireless OPP
orators thinking there was little hope
of communicating with land, were
snatching a few hours sleep. The
Siaseonset station had a large num-
Der of personal messages addressed
to the Carpathia and persons aboard
awaiting delivery.
In order to assist the Siaseonset
station in getting into communion
ton the navy department ordered all
naval stations and vessels of the de-
partment to stand by" and send
nothing but official business. Similar
orders were issued by the Marconi
officials to their stations on the coast.
Just before midnight the scout
cruiser Salem commenced repeating
the names of third cabin passengers
to the Newport naval station.