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1859's Great Auroral Storm: the week the Sun touched the earth
by mk

    Boston operator, (to Portland operator) - "Please cut off your battery entirely from the line for fifteen minutes."

    Portland operator - "Will do so. It is now disconnected."

    Boston - "Mine is disconnected, and we are working with the auroral current. How do you receive my writing?"

    Portland - "Better than with our batteries on. Current comes and goes gradually."

    Boston - "My current is very strong at times, and we can work better without the batteries, as the Aurora seems to neutralize and augment our batteries alternately, making current too strong at times for our relay magnets.

    Suppose we work without batteries while we are affected by this trouble."

    Portland - "Very well. Shall I go ahead with business?"

    Boston - "Yes. Go ahead."