During the last night of our voyage a thick fog closed about us. The constant blowing of the fog whistle made the night dismal. Few persons slept at all. About two o'clock in the morning the ship struck a reef, and instantly it seemed as though every person on that ship reached the decks at the same time. The water poured in and put out the fires. The ship heeled badly, and it seemed that any minute she might slip off the reef on which she was resting into deep water and go down. To add to our horror fire broke out. It seems to have started in the wireless operator's room.
Very much damage was done to the wireless outfit itself, and the operator was badly burned, so much so that he was taken to the ship's hospital suffering with many painful and dangerous wounds.
Meanwhile the flames spread rapidly and we were unable to summon help. The crew and many of the passengers fought the flames, but with little success.
In the midst of our despair word passed around the ship that an unknown boy from among the passengers was sending the C. Q. D. message to all the world by wireless. It was afterward learned that your Harold was the youth. He had repaired the damaged apparatus sufficiently to establish connection with a storage battery which he found, and, under the captain's direction, was sending forth that hurry call for help known to all the wireless fraternity and heeded by all sea-faring men. I learned that your boy was not a regular operator, but that somehow he had learned to send this message and also to send out the captain's calculations of our position at sea. He was also able to detect that his call had been heard and that help was coming, although he could not understand much that came to his instrument in reply to his calls. I learned, also, that he was one of the first to reach the operator's room and to give assistance. He was himself badly burned, so much so that one hand was being dressed by a nurse while he was continually using the other to operate his instrument.
I can testify, my dear sir, that he appeared to be the calmest and most self-possessed person on board that ship, as I saw him in the glare of the dreadful flames which lit up the blackest night.
I am an artist and would like to attempt to paint that scene, which has left its lasting impression upon my soul. I beg that you will allow me to exhibit it for a time in several of our galleries and finally present it to your family.
Help came none too soon. We were all transferred to other boats, but the sea was rising, and scarcely had we reached a safe distance when the burning ship slipped into the sea and disappeared.
I do not know by which boat your son reached the land. In the great confusion I lost sight of him at last. He has doubtless communicated with you by this time, and I shall esteem it a great favour if you will put me in communication with him again.
In order that I may do justice to him in the painting I would like to arrange with him a few sittings while he is in Europe.
Could you kindly send me a photograph of him which will assist me somewhat?