' 'Shall we send help?' 'Are you
jettisoning cars?' 'What is your position?'--no replies were received.
The _Richardson_ continued therefore to signal, 'Report your position
and course; we will stand by,' at the same time making full speed
toward last position given by Number 25. At 4:35, no other message
having been obtained from Number 25 in the meantime, Manitowoc and
Frankfort both picked up the following: 'S.O.S. Are taking water fast.
S.O.S. Position probably twenty miles west N. Fox. S.O.S.' The
S.O.S. has been repeated, but without further information since."

The report made to Henry ended here. Constance picked up the later
messages received in response to orders to transmit to Corvet,
Sherrill, and Spearman copies of all signals concerning Number 25 which
had been received or sent. She sorted out from them those dated after
the hour she just had read:

"4:40, Manitowoc is calling No. 25, 'No. 26 is putting north to you.
Keep in touch.'

"4:43, No. 26 is calling No. 25, 'What is your position?'

"4:50, the _Richardson_ is calling No. 25, 'We must be approaching you.
Are you giving whistle signals?'

"4:53, No. 25 is replying to _Richardson_, 'Yes; will continue to
signal. Do you hear us?'

"4:59, Frankfort is calling No. 25, 'What is your condition?'

"5:04, No. 25 is replying to Frankfort, 'Holding bare headway; stern
very low.'

"5:10, No. 26 is calling No. 25, 'Are you throwing off cars?'

"5:14, Petoskey is calling Manitowoc, 'We are receiving S.O.S. What is
wrong?' Petoskey has not previously been in communication with shore
stations or ships.

"5:17, No. 25 is signalling No. 26, 'Are throwing off cars; have
cleared eight; work very difficult. We are sinking.'

"5:20, No. 25 is calling the _Richardson_, 'Watch for small boats.
Position doubtful because of snow and changes of course; probably due
west N. Fox, twenty to thirty miles.'

"5:24, No. 26 is calling No. 25, 'Are you abandoning ship?'

"5:27, No. 25 is replying to No. 26, 'Second boat just getting safely
away with passengers; first boat was smashed. Six passengers in second
boat, two injured of crew, cabin maid, boy and two men.'

"5:30, Manitowoc and Frankfort are calling No. 25, 'Are you abandoning
ship?'

"5:34, No. 25 is replying to Manitowoc, 'Still trying to clear cars;
everything is loose below...'

"5:40, Frankfort is calling Manitowoc, 'Do you get anything now?'

"5:45, Manitowoc is calling the _Richards