Existing comment:
Distress Signals:
As soon as the seriousness of the collision with the iceberg became clear, Captain Smith gave orders to fire distress rockets, load lifeboats, and radio for help. Radio Operator Phillips sent the standard distress call, CQD in Morse Code, then switched to the SOS signal. All messages ended with Titanic's Marconi call sign, MGY. Before nearby ships hearing the call could respond, Titanic sank at 2:20am. While some of the 1,496 victims drowned, most died of hypothermia in the 28 degree water. The passenger ship Carpathia, sailing from 58 miles away, arrived at 3:30am and rescued 712 survivors. Over the years, the number of victims has been disputed because of confusion about people traveled under false names, failed to board, or stowed away, but careful research checked against the Carpathia manifest of arriving passengers has helped bring consensus. |