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He drew the back of his forefinger nervously across his brow in a gesture that was
habitual with him in moments of mental stress.
"The gravitation-screen generators, sir," he said. "Number one went to the bad
about an hour and a half ago. We have been working upon it steadily since; but I
have to report, sir, that it is beyond repair."
"Number two will keep us supplied," I answered. "In the meantime we will send a
wireless for relief."
"But that is the trouble, sir," he went on. "Number two has stopped. I knew it
would come, sir. I made a report on these generators three years ago. I advised
then that they both be scrapped. Their principle is entirely wrong. They're done
for." And, with a grim smile, "I shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing my
report was accurate."
"
Have we sufficient reserve screen to permit us to make land, or, at least, meet
our relief halfway?" I asked.
"
"
"
"
No, sir," he replied gravely; "we are sinking now."
Have you anything further to report?" I asked.
No, sir," he said.
Very good," I replied; and, as I dismissed him, I rang for my wireless operator.
When he appeared, I gave him a message to the secretary of the navy, to whom all
vessels in service on thirty and one hundred seventy-five report direct. I
explained our predicament, and stated that with what screening force remained I
should continue in the air, making as rapid headway toward St. Johns as
possible, and that when we were forced to take to the water I should continue in
the same direction.
The accident occurred directly over 30d and about 52d N. The surface wind was
blowing a tempest from the west. To attempt to ride out such a storm upon the
surface seemed suicidal, for the Coldwater was not designed for surface
navigation except under fair weather conditions. Submerged, or in the air, she
was tractable enough in any sort of weather when under control; but without her
screen generators she was almost helpless, since she could not fly, and, if
submerged, could not rise to the surface.
All these defects have been remedied in later models; but the knowledge did not
help us any that day aboard the slowly settling Coldwater, with an angry sea
roaring beneath, a tempest raging out of the west, and 30d only a few knots
astern.
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