9:18 exactly
` _ How are you all _ ? ' was the brief first telegram by Sir James Anderson . ` _ All well _ , ' was the briefer first reply from Bombay . The question fled from London at 9:18 exactly -- I had my watch in my hand at the time -- and the answer came back at 9:23 -- just five minutes . I can tell you it was hard to believe that the whole thing was not a practical joke . In fact , the message and reply were almost instantaneous , the five minutes being chiefly occupied in manipulating the instruments at either end . The second message between the same parties occupied the same time .