Columbus Discovers America

This is Don Harlandek, CBS London October 12, 1492. After three days of silence, we're going to try to reestablish shortwave contact with the missing Columbus expedition. For three days now, there has been not a single word from John Daly, our CBS correspondent, aboard the Columbus flagship Santa Maria in the Western Ocean.

No one in Europe knows what has happened. By now the Santa Maria and her two sister ships, the Nina and the Pinta, have either sighted land, turned back to Spain or met an unknown fate in uncharted seas.

When last heard from the fleet was still afloat, but a crisis had arisen which eloquently revealed the difficulties which have beset the little flotilla. October 12, 1492, London. You are there. Europe's speculate what has happened to the Columbus expedition, triumph or disaster.

CBS takes you back 456 years to the fears, the hopes and the suspense of 1492. All things are as they were then, except for one thing. When CBS is there, you are there. You are there, produced and directed by Robert Louis Cheyenne, is based on authentic historical fact in quotation. And now CBS, London, and Don Hollenbank.

John Dealey, who has a short way of transmitter aboard the Santa Maria, from which he has been sending us regular broadcasts. Three days ago, at the crisis of the voyage, those broadcasts cease. Perhaps the fleet has run into adverse atmospheric conditions. Perhaps John Dealey has had trouble with his transmitter, or perhaps, and this is, of course, entirely possible.

The Columbus expedition is lost. Our circuits are open now. We'll try once more to make contact with John Daly out in the Western Ocean. Come in, John Daly. Go ahead, John Daly. This is CBS London calling the Columbus expedition.