Wireless Telegraphy. 305 
or six years back, while in charge of a station on the West Coast vf Ireland 
when a serious fire broke out on board a large liner, homeward bound from 
the United States—then only about 80 miles from shore. The message asking 
for assistance was received just aiter 1 a.m. and exactly 26 minutes later we 
were able to inform the ship that tugs were being sent to her assistance and that 
one of H. M. cruisers had been communicated with by wireless, and was then 
proceeding to the sceue. with all speed, in order to take oft the passengers and 
mails should the fire become unmanayeable. In this case, fortunately, the 
assistance was not required, the fire having been got under ; but such cases 
show the value of wireless on ship-board and the fact that close upon nine 
hundred passenger ships now have it installed shows that ship-owners have 
realized that value. 
The matter has already engaged the attention of politicians of various 
nations, and, without doubt. the time is nut far distant when every passenger- 
ship will be compelled by law to have the necessary equipment. 
