Titanic ~ C.Q.D. - M.G.Y.

We could hear terrible confusion outside, but not the least thing to indicate any trouble. The wireless was working perfectly. 'Send a call for assistance', ordered the captain, barely putting his head in the door. 'What call should I send?' Phillips asked. 'The regulation international call for help, just that.' Then the captain was gone."
~ Harold Bride, Wireless Operator.

Much has been said over the years about the sinking of Titanic, the causes and what should have or shouldn't have been done to prevent it, or what more could have been done after. Almost all of it is speculation and conjecture. Today, as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of its loss, I want to send you back to that black night. Whether sitting huddled in a lifeboat or standing upon the deck of the grand liner, hopes of survival were dependent on the signals being furiously carried above the passengers heads. This is how a handful of men heard the disaster unfold minute by minute. For a little over two hours, Titanic's wireless continued to transmit, until it fell silent at approximately 2.20 on the morning of 15th April 1912. This is the story of these transmissions.

Titanic sent her first distress signal at 12.15. Initially, she transmitted C.Q.D., one of the first internationally recognised distress signals. Like most signals, they do not represent an abbreviation for a phrase, although "Come Quick Distress" was commonly quoted. C.Q. was the designation to identify all stations were to stand by to receive. D. was added for distress. Titanic sent her first S.O.S. signal at 12.45. This was the first international standard distress signal, coming into effect in 1908. Contrary to popular belief, Titanic was not the first ship to use it, nor does it mean "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship". Selection was due to the fact that the sequence was easy to remember and be recognised, being the only 9-element Morse code. In 1999, S.O.S. was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System as the recognised maritime distress signal.

Times given are New York and (Titanic). M.G.Y. is Titanic's callsign.

10-25 p.m. (12-15 a.m.) "La Provence" receives "Titanic" distress signals.

10-25 p.m. (12-15 a.m.) "Mount Temple" heard "Titanic" sending C.Q.D. Says require assistance. Gives position. Can not hear me. Advise my Captain his position 41.46 N. 50.24 W.

10-25 p.m. (12-15 a.m.) Cape Race hears "Titanic" giving position on C.Q.D. 41.44 N., 50.24 W.

10-28 p.m. (12-18 a.m.) "Ypiranga" hears C.Q.D. from "Titanic." "Titanic" gives C.Q.D. here. Position 41.44 N., 50.24 W. Require assistance (calls about 10 times).

10-35 p.m. (12-25 a.m.) C.Q.D. call received from "Titanic" by "Carpathia." "Titanic" said "Come at once. We have struck a berg. It's a C.Q.D. O.M. Position 41.46 N. 50.14 W."

10-35 p.m. (12-25 a.m.) Cape Race hears M.G.Y. ("Titanic") give corrected position 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Calling him, no answer.

10-36 p.m. (12-26 a.m.) M.G.Y. ("Titanic") says C.Q.D. Here corrected position 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Require immediate assistance. We have collision with iceberg. Sinking. Can nothing hear for noise of steam. Sent about 15 to 20 times to "Ypiranga."

10-37 p.m. (12-27 a.m.) "Titanic" sends following: "I require assistance immediately. Struck by iceberg in 41.46 N., 50.14 W."

10-40 p.m. (12-30 a.m.) "Titanic" gives his position to "Frankfurt," and says, "Tell your Captain to come to our help. We are on the ice."

10-40 p.m. (12-30 a.m.) "Caronia" sent C.Q. message to M.B.C. ("Baltic") and C.Q.D.: "M.G.Y. ("Titanic") struck iceberg, require immediate assistance."

10-40 p.m. (12-30 a.m.) "Mount Temple" hears M.G.Y. ("Titanic") still calling C.Q.D. Our Captain reverses ship. We are about 50 miles off.

10-46 p.m.(12-36 a.m.) D.K.F. ("Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm") calls M.G.Y. ("Titanic") and gives position at 12 a.m. 39.47 N., 50.10 W. M.G.Y. ("Titanic") says, "Are you coming to our?" D.F.T. ("Frankfurt") says, "What is the matter with u?" M.G.Y. ("Titanic") "We have collision with iceberg. Sinking. Please tell Captain to come." D.F.T. ("Frankfurt") says, "O.K, will tell."

10-48 p.m. (12-38 a.m.) "Mount Temple" hears "Frankfurt" give M.G.Y. ("Titanic") his position 39.47 N., 52.10 W.

10-55 p.m. (12-45 a.m.) "Titanic" calls "Olympic" S.O.S.

11-00 p.m. (12-50 a.m.) "Titanic" calls C.Q.D. and says, "I require immediate assistance. Position 41.46 N., 50.14 W." Received by "Celtic."

11-03 p.m. (12-53 a.m.) "Caronia" to M.B.C. ("Baltic") and S.O.S., "M.G.Y. ("Titanic") C.Q.D. in 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Wants immediate assistance."

11-10 p.m. (1-00 a.m.) M.G.Y. gives distress signal. D.D.C. replies. M.G.Y.'s position 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Assistance from D.D.C. not necessary as M.K.C. shortly afterwards answers distress call.

11-10 p.m. (1-00 a.m.) "Titanic" replies to "Olympic" and gives his position as 41.46 N., 50.14 W., and says, "We have struck an iceberg."

11-12 p.m. (1-02 a.m.) "Titanic" calls "Asian" and said, "Want immediate assistance." "Asian" answered at once and received "Titanic's" position as 41.46., 50.14 W., which he immediately takes to the bridge. Captain instructs operator to have "Titanic's" position repeated.

11-12 p.m. (1-02 a.m.) "Virginian" calls "Titanic" but gets no response. Cape Race tells "Virginian" to report to his Captain the "Titanic" has struck iceberg and requires immediate assistance.

11-20 p.m. (1-10 a.m.) "Titanic" to M.K.C. ("Olympic"), "We are in collision with berg. Sinking Head down. 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Come soon as possible."

11-20 p.m. (1-10 a.m.) "Titanic" to M. K. C. ("Olympic"), Captain says, "Get your boats ready. What is your position?"

11-25 p.m. (1-15 a.m.) "Baltic" to "Caronia," "Please tell 'Titanic' we are making towards her."

11-30 p.m. (1-20 a.m.) "Virginian" hears M.C.E. (Cape Race) inform M.G.Y. ("Titanic") "that we are going to his assistance. Our position 170 miles N. of 'Titanic.'"

11-35 p.m. (1-25 a.m.) "Caronia" tells "Titanic," "'Baltic' coming to your assistance."

11-35 p.m. (1-25 a.m.) "Olympic" sends position to "Titanic" 4-24 a.m. G.M.T. 40.52 N., 61.18 W. "Are you steering southerly to meet us?" "Titanic" replies, "We are putting the women off in the boats."

11-35 p.m. (1-25 a.m.) "Titanic" and "Olympic" work together.

11-37 p.m. (1-27 a.m.) M.G.Y. ("Titanic") says, "We are putting the women off in the boats."

11-40 p.m. (1-30 a.m.) "Titanic" tells "Olympic," "We are putting passengers off in small boats."

11-45 p.m. (1-35 a.m.) "Olympic" asks "Titanic" what weather he had. "Titanic" replies, "Clear and calm."

11-45 p.m. (1-35 a.m.) "Baltic" hears "Titanic" say "Engine room getting flooded."

11-45 p.m. (1-35 a.m.) "Mount Temple" hears D.F.T. ("Frankfurt") ask "are there any boats around you already?" No reply.

11-47 p.m. (1-37 a.m.) "Baltic" tells "Titanic," "We are rushing to you."

11-50 p.m. (1-40 a.m.) "Olympic" to "Titanic," "Am lighting up all possible boilers as fast as can."

11-50 p.m. (1-40 a.m.) Cape Race says to "Virginian:" "Please tell your Captain this: "The 'Olympic' is making all speed for 'Titanic' but his ('Olympic's') position is 40.32 N., 61.18 W. You are much nearer 'Titanic.' The 'Titanic' is already putting women off in the boats, and he says the weather there is calm and clear. The 'Olympic' is the only ship we have heard say, "Going to the assistance of the 'Titanic.' The others must be a long way from the 'Titanic.'"

11-55 p.m. (1-45 a.m.) Last signals heard from "Titanic" by "Carpathia," "Engine-room full up to boilers."

11-55 p.m. (1-45 a.m.) "Mount Temple" hears D.F.T. ("Frankfurt") calling M.G.Y. ("Titanic"). No reply.

11-57 p.m. (1-47 a.m.) "Caronia" hears M.G.Y. ("Titanic") though signals unreadable still.

11-58 p.m. (1-48 a.m.) "Asian" heard "Titanic" call S.O.S. "Asian" answers "Titanic" but receives no answer.

Midnight (1-50 a.m.) "Caronia" hears "Frankfurt" working to "Titanic." "Frankfurt" according to position 172 miles from M.G.Y. ("Titanic") at time first S.O.S. sent out.

12-05 a.m. ( 1-55 a.m.) Cape Race says to "Virginian" "we have not heard 'Titanic' for about half an hour. His power may be gone."

12-10 a.m. (2-00 a.m.) "Virginian" hears "Titanic" calling very faintly, his power being greatly reduced.

12-20 a.m. (2-10 a.m.) "Virginian" hears 2 v's signalled faintly in spark similar to "Titanic's" probably adjusting spark.

12-27 a.m. (2-17 a.m.) "Virginian" hears "Titanic" call C.Q., but unable to read him. "Titanic's" signals end very abruptly as power suddenly switched off. His spark rather blurred or ragged. Called M.G.Y. ("Titanic") and suggested he should try emergency set, but heard no response.

12-30 a.m. (2-20 a.m.) "Olympic," his sigs. strong, asked him if he had heard anything about M.G.Y. ("Titanic") He says, "No. Keeping strict watch, but hear nothing more from M.G.Y. ("Titanic"). No reply from him.

12-52 a.m. This was the official time the "Titanic" foundered in 41.46 N., 50.14 W. as given by the "Carpathia" in message to the "Olympic;" about 2-20 a.m.

1-15 a.m. "Virginian" exchanges signals "Baltic." He tries send us M.S.G. for M.G.Y. ("Titanic"), but his signals died utterly away.

1-25 a.m. "Mount Temple" hears M.P.A. ("Carpathia") send, "If you are there we are firing rockets."

1-35 a.m. "Baltic" sent 1 M.S.G. to "Virginian" for "Titanic."

1-40 a.m. M.P.A. ("Carpathia") calling M.G.Y. ("Titanic").

1-58 a.m. S.B.A. ("Birma") thinks he hears "Titanic" so sends, "Steamship full speed for you. Shall arrive you 6-0 in morning. Hope you are safe. We are only 50 miles now."

2-00 a.m. M.P.A. ("Carpathia") calling M.G.Y. ("Titanic").

2-00 a.m. Have not heard "Titanic" since 11.50 p.m. Received from "Ypiranga."

2-28 a.m. "La Provence" to "Celtic," "Nobody has heard the 'Titanic' for about 2 hours."

3-24 a.m. S.B.A. ("Birma") says we are 30 miles S.W. off "Titanic."

3-35 a.m. "Celtic" sends message to "Caronia" for the "Titanic." "Caronia" after trying for two hours to get through to the "Titanic" tells the "Celtic" impossible to clear his message to "Titanic." "Celtic" then cancels message.

3-45 a.m. "Californian" exchanges signals with M.L.Q. ("Mount Temple"). He gave position of "Titanic."

4-10 a.m. "Californian" receives M.S.G. from M.G.N ("Virginian").

5-05 a.m. "Baltic" signals M.P.A. ("Carpathia").

5-40 a.m. "Parisian" hears weak signals from M.P.A. ("Carpathia") or some station saying "Titanic" struck iceberg. "Carpathia" has passengers from lifeboats.

5-40 a.m. "Olympic" Tr "Asian," with German oil tank in tow for Halifax asked what news of M.G.Y. ("Titanic"). Sends service later saying heard M.G.Y. ("Titanic") v. faint wkg. C. Race up to 10.0 p.m., local time. Finished calling S.O.S. midnight.

6-05 a.m. "Parisian" exchanges TRs "Virginian" O.K. nil. Informed Captain Haines what I heard passing between ships regard steaming "Titanic," and he decided not to return as M.P.A. ("Carpathia") was there, and
"Californian" was 50 miles astern of us but requested me to stand by in case required.

6-45 a.m. "Mount Temple" hears M.P.A. ("Carpathia") report rescued 20 boat loads.

7-07 a.m. "Baltic" sends following to "Carpathia:" "Can I be of any assistance to you as regards taking some of the passengers from you? Will be in position about 4-30. Let me know if you alter your position."

7-10 a.m. "Baltic" in communication with M.P.A. ("Carpathia"). Exchanged traffic re passengers, and get instructions to proceed to Liverpool.

7-15 a.m. "Baltic" turns round for Liverpool, having steamed 134 miles W. towards "Titanic."

7-40 a.m. "Mount Temple" hears M.P.A. ("Carpathia") call C.Q. and says no need to std. bi him. Advise my Captain, who has been cruising round the icefield with no result. Ship reversed.

7-45 a.m. "Olympic" sent M.S.G. to Owners, New York via Sable Island, saying, "Have not communicated with 'Titanic' since midnight."

7-55 a.m. "Carpathia" replies to "Baltic," "Am proceeding to Halifax or New York full speed. You had better proceed to Liverpool. Have about 800 passengers on board."

8-00 a.m. "Carpathia" to "Virginian." "We are leaving here with all on board about 800 passengers. Please return to your Northern course.

I'll be back later to catch up with everyone.