Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber’s Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics.

Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end.

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The Young Wireless Operator--Afloat

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_Books by Lewis E. Theiss_

_In Camp at Fort Brady_

A CAMPING STORY. 304 Pages.

_His Big Brother_

A STORY OF THE STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF A LITTLE SON OF LIBERTY. 320
Pages.

_Lumberjack Bob_

A TALE OF THE ALLEGHANIES. 320 Pages.

_The Wireless Patrol at Camp Brady_

A STORY OF HOW THE BOY CAMPERS, THROUGH THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF WIRELESS,
“DID THEIR BIT.” 320 Pages.

_The Secret Wireless_

A STORY OF THE CAMP BRADY PATROL. 320 Pages.

_The Hidden Aerial_

THE SPY LINE ON THE MOUNTAIN. 332 Pages.

_Cloth Bound--Colored Frontispiece
Price, $1.75 net each_

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The Young Wireless Operator--Afloat

or _HOW ROY MERCER WON HIS SPURS IN THE MERCHANT MARINE_

By LEWIS E. THEISS

_Illustrated by Original Photographs_

W. A. WILDE COMPANY
BOSTON CHICAGO

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_Copyrighted, 1920_,
BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY
_All rights reserved_

THE YOUNG WIRELESS OPERATOR--AFLOAT

Dedication

To few of us is it given to know where our arrows come to earth or what shore is washed by the ripples we create in the sea of life. But so much is certain: somewhere our arrows _do_ come to earth, and somewhere the waves we set in motion _do_ wash the beach. And each arrow shot from our bows and each wavelet we set in motion is fraught with unseen possibilities for good or evil. Whether we be man or child or growing youth, we cannot escape the responsibilities entailed; and, if we do with our might what our hands find to do, our arrows and our ripples in Time’s sea can cause only good.

In His wise providence the Almighty has so ordained that the faith and enthusiasm of youth are often more effective than the coldly reasoned acts of maturity. If so be that many lads shall read this and companion stories of the wireless and find therein either pleasure or profit, they will owe their gain to the fact that a youth who has passed to the great beyond shot his arrow into the air with all the courage and enthusiasm that a high soul and a brave heart could command. To that youth,

Nelson Kimball Wilde

whose boyish enthusiasm for radio communication first interested the writer in wireless telegraphy, this book is affectionately dedicated.

Foreword

To-day the American Merchant Marine commands the respect of the world, for in increasing numbers vessels flying the Stars and Stripes are seen on every sea.

That our boys may know more about the many experiences which such vessels encounter and to tell the story of how Roy Mercer made good as a wireless operator upon one of these vessels, is the purpose of the author in penning this story of life on the high sea.

Contents

I. THE NEW WIRELESS MAN 11

II. THE SECRET OF SUCCESS 24

III. ROY’S FIRST FIRE 34

IV. IN LOWER NEW YORK 50

V. A FRIEND IN NEED 69

VI. OFF TO SEA 81

VII. THE NIGHT’S WORK 94

VIII. WHERE COTTON IS KING 107

IX. THWARTING A WIRELESS INCENDIARY 129

X. A LESSON IN DIPLOMACY 152

XI. A VISIT TO CHINATOWN 173

XII. A CLOSE CALL 198

XIII. ROY GAINS ANOTHER FRIEND 221

XIV. A TRIP TO THE OIL FIELDS 229

XV. S O S 240

XVI. LATITUDE 28--LONGITUDE 96 266

XVII. LAND AHEAD! 281

XVIII. BACK INTO THE STORM 298

XIX. VICTORY 314

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The Young Wireless Operator--Afloat