midnight
`` Well , he wo n't remain obscure long , '' remarked Burns , `` if he has brains enough to turn the navy department topsy-turvy for forty-eight hours . '' Two days later the monotony of the voyage , which was broken only by the radiograms which were posted daily concerning the race between the American and British liners -- the _ Columbia _ being in the lead -- was rudely shattered by an incident in which Jack was destined to play an important part . Jack had been on a visit to Raynor during the young engineer 's night watch in the engine-room . They had stayed chatting and talking over old times till Jack suddenly realized that it was long after midnight and time for him to be in his bunk . Hastily saying good-night , he made his way through the deserted corridors of the great ship , which stretched empty and dimly lit before him . As he traversed them the young wireless man could not but think of the contrast to the busy life of the day when stewards swarmed and passengers hurried to and fro . Now everything was silent and deserted , except for the still figures up on the bridge and below in the engine and fire rooms , guiding and powering the great vessel onward through the night at a twenty-four-knot clip .