In the first book of this series, which was called "The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic," we were introduced to Jack Ready, then the young wireless operator of the big tank steamer _Ajax_. His chum, Bill Raynor, was a junior engineer of that craft. A strong friendship sprang up between the two lads, which their subsequent adventures on that voyage cemented into a lasting affection.
Jack also won the approval of Jacob Jukes, head of the great shipping combine that owned the _Ajax_ and a vast fleet of craft, both passenger and freight, besides, by his masterly handling of a difficult situation when the millionaire shipping-man's yacht burned in mid-Atlantic.
This incident, and others which proved that the young wireless man was level-headed and cool, even in the worst emergency, resulted in his being transferred to the passenger service on board the West Indian service craft, the _Tropic Queen_. The thrilling events that accompanied the vessel's last voyage were set forth in the second volume of the Ocean Wireless Boys series, entitled, "The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner."
Still another book related how Jack and his chum took to the seas again on different vessels, only to be reunited in the strangest manner. "The Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol," as this was named, told something of the work of the craft detailed by Uncle Sam to the duty of patrolling northern seas, sending wireless warnings of icebergs to trans-Atlantic liners--a work of infinite usefulness which, had it been instituted earlier, might have averted the loss of the _Titanic_, the greatest marine disaster in the history of the world. This was followed by an account of the exciting Pacific adventures already referred to.
The boys, and their employer, Mr. Jukes, agreed with them, and felt that after their experiences in the South Seas with the millionaire's expedition in search of his lost brother, they had earned a holiday; and their determination to tour Europe was the outcome.
But even as they stepped on board the "Gold Ship," the machinery of war was beginning to rumble in Europe, and before many hours had passed, the storm of well-nigh universal war was destined to begin. Of this, of course, they had no inkling, as they busied themselves in establishing their belongings in their main-deck cabin. These preparations had hardly been completed when the siren boomed warningly, and a tremor ran through the big vessel. As she backed out of her pier, the brass band began to play and the crowds on the decks, and on the docks, waved wildly, cheered and shouted last messages which, by no possibility, could have been heard above the din.