Valuable Use of Marconi System made by Disabled Steamer.
Queenstown, Dec. 10, 1903.
The saloon passengers of the steamer “Kroonland” are enthusiastic over the utility of the Marconi wireless telegraph system, by means of which news of the accident to that ship was received here yesterday.
The breakdown of the steering apparatus occurred at noon Tuesday, when the “Kroonland” was 130 miles west of Fastnet. Captain Daxrud immediately sent to Crookhaven a wireless message to the agents of the line at Antwerp describing the damage and informing them that the steamer must abandon her voyage. A reply was received within an hour and a half. Whereupon Captain Daxrud complied with the instructions sent to him to return to Queenstown. Meanwhile, three-fourths of the saloon passengers and a number of those in the second cabin sent wireless messages to friends in various parts of Great Britain and Europe, and many of them received replies before Fastnet was sighted from the steamer.
Some of the wireless messages were cabled to the United States. In some cases the senders asked friends for money, and the replies authorizing the purser to advance funds to them, which was done before land was sighted.
The “Kroonland’s” twin screws steered the ship easily, the only difference being steam was reduced.
Another Use of Wireless Telegraphy.
New York, Oct. 17, 1903.