Western Historical Manuscript Collection: There are no materials for this story.
Nikola Tesla: Regarding Doc Savage and Nikola Tesla, probably the single most interesting story is “Haunted Ocean” (June 1936). The July 11, 1934 issue of the New York Herald Tribune printed an interview with the famous inventor.
“In peace times, he [Tesla] says, the beam will also be used to transmit immense voltages of power over distances limited only by the curvature of the earth.”
Returning to Haunted Ocean we observe Doc Savage examining the power-receiving equipment on an airplane. “The mystery of the apparent uncanny daylight was unfolded to Doc Savage. He realized that a band of such light, with proper motive machinery, might someday operate every ship that sailed the seas, every vehicle of transportation in the world.”
Personal philosophies are also in play here. In an October 1934 article in Every Week Magazine the reader learns that
Dr. Tesla hates war. The article
describes Tesla's reaction to The Great War.
“Dr. Nikola Tesla was in his
laboratory trying hard to solve a problem of ages. Once in
a while he raised his head to listen. Then he turned back to his experiments.
He was going to end war.”
Back in the Doc Savage universe this rule will not be imposed by individual nations. The Man of Peace is going to force it onto the world. The President of the United States shows Doc a message demanding that nations disarm completely.
Later we actually meet the Man of Peace himself.
"Conquest, always conquest!" the man murmured. "I have but to move one finger and it will cease. In this way only, can war be ended. Only my own craft and my own air force shall have the secret of moving by the light of peace."
Arne Dass, the Man of Peace
is the alter ego of Nikola Tesla.
Consider the similarities between the two. Tesla is a native of
Tesla wishes to present his plans to the disarmament
conference at Geneva. Coincidentally in
Fu Manchu: In a speculative vein, one could craft a good relationship between Fu-Manchu and the events in Haunted Ocean. After all, Mr. Kama hails from San Tao, a remote and wealthy southern Chinese province. The treasure sought after is one worthy of the insidious doctor and would fit well in one of the evil one's own adventures.
June 11, 1936 – Robert E. Howard dies.
June 19, 1936 - Max Schmeling gives Joe Louis his first professional defeat.
June 26, 1936 – First flight of the Focke-Wolf Fw 61 helicopter.
June 30, 1936 – Gone With the Wind
by Margaret Mitchell
is published.
