SOME MEN ASK NO ODDS

On October 29th, 1916, the wireless station at Valencia, Ireland, took this message from the Dutch SS Ryndam
Fifty degrees 20 min. north; twenty degrees 30 min west; rescued 13 of the crew of the American tug 'Vigilant."  Three men remained aboard the tug which proceeded on her voyage.


To the operator there was nothing extraordinary in the marconigram; nothing unusual except this time it was a tug.  But anything could have happened in those days of ruthless U-boat warfare.  If Noah's Ark had come sailing over the horizon, he would not have been surprised.  At that time anything that could float put to sea. "Three men remained - tug proceeded on her voyage."  In peace time, that closing sentence might have intrigued him, in war time, with England being bled of ships amd men and badly in need of food, his task was to strain the air for more important and vital news.

If you'd care to give this one a 'go'....click on link:

SOME MEN ASK NO ODDS

Bud Shortridge
shortsweetnavy@yahoo.com