Columbus Discovers America

This is Don Hollendbeck, CBS London, October 12, 1492. After three days of silence, we're going to try to re-establish 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 cited 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... Europe speculates. What has happened to the Columbus expedition? Triumph or disaster? CBS takes you back 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. It's based on authentic historical fact in quotation. And now, CBS, London, and, in fact, with John Daly, 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 ceased. Perhaps the fleet has run into adverse atmospheric conditions. Perhaps John Daly 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 CBS London calling the Columbus expedition come in John Daly Come in John Daly once more. We have failed to make contact. We'll try again in a few moments