Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/194

 CHAPTER XIII

LOWLY the staunch little cutter steamed ahead. Had it not been for the broken rudder, the Capitol City could have gone on her way, unattended, as she was little damaged. But with her rudder injured, she was in a bad way. Although it was not entirely gone, and it helped somewhat in guiding the ship, still at times the huge craft yawed badly. By paying out more cable Captain Hardwick partly overcame this tendency to yaw. Nevertheless it was difficult enough to make headway, for the wind had now whipped around almost to the north, and for a time the two ships had to sail into the teeth of it. The Capitol City could not use the full power of her engines, but she kept her propeller turning, and this greatly lessened the burden on the cutter. Unless some unforeseen difficulty should arise, the two vessels would have no trouble in reaching their port.

There was much to be done on both ships, however. The captain of the disabled steamer wanted to get in touch with his agents, and inform them of the safety of the vessel. His wireless was still out of commission, and his messages