Radio operators on the Titanic continued tapping out CQD(SOS) until the water was in the radio room

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/11824953-452/titanic-tragedy-radios-life-messages-to-us-today.html

Titanic tragedy radios life messages to us today

NEIL STEINBERG nsteinberg@ suntimes.com @NeilSteinberg April 12, 2012 9:38PM

<snip>Captain Smith returned to the radio shack one last time.

“Men,” the captain said. “You have done your full duty. You can do no more. Abandon your cabin. Now it’s every man for himself.”

“I looked out,” Bride said. “The boat deck was awash. Phillips clung on sending and sending. He clung on for about 10 minutes, or maybe 15 minutes after the captain had released him. The water was then coming into our cabin. He was a brave man. I learned to love him that night and I suddenly felt for him a great reverence to see him standing there sticking to his work while everybody else was raging about.”

Bride returned to the collapsible boat, and was holding onto it when a wave crested over the deck and washed it away. He turned for one last look at the ship, “smoke and sparks were rushing out of her funnel.” Bride lost hold on that boat and had to swim through the icy water to the other boats, as the band played “Autumn” on deck. Hands pulled him into another lifeboat. Phillips perished.

For me, the Titanic radio operator story is a metaphor for life. It signals to us something about duty and perseverance in the face of difficulty. You’re not the captain. You didn’t design the ship. You don’t own it. But you stay at your station, no matter what, tapping out your messages with all the skill you have, as long as you can, until relieved.

[KeepItReal]

1. BBC Radio did a re-enactment of all the radio traffic

It was very moving.

The radio operator was so professional in the face of imminent possible death relaying their position and status and coordinating rescue with far-away vessels.

He even used the brand new code "S.O.S." distress code as well as the old signal.

[edbermac]

2. The engineers deserve praise also.

They were below deck doing everything humanly possible to keep the electricity going, none of them survived.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/10/heroic-role-titanic-engineer

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, NNN0LHI.