Harold Cottam
Encyclopedia
Harold Thomas Cottam was the wireless operator on the RMS Carpathia
when the SOS
from the sinking RMS Titanic was sent. It was also he who awakened Captain
Arthur Henry Rostron
after receiving the distress signal. Without his diligence, and the somewhat fortuitous circumstances, many more people might have died in the Titanic Disaster. Cottam was off duty and about to go to bed, but he left the radio on and listened to Cape Race, reputedly to learn the results of Saturdays' football matches. He heard Cape Race advise that they had private traffic for the Titanic and thought it would be helpful to inform the Titanic of this. In reply he received Jack Phillips's SOS call.
Cottam received a "hero's welcome" when the Carpathia reached New York. He continued to work at sea until 1922, when he took a job as a sales representative.
RMS Carpathia
RMS Carpathia was a Cunard Line transatlantic passenger steamship built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson. Carpathia made her maiden voyage in 1903 and became famous for rescuing the survivors of after the latter ship hit an iceberg and sank on 15 April 1912...
when the SOS
SOS
SOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal...
from the sinking RMS Titanic was sent. It was also he who awakened Captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
Arthur Henry Rostron
Arthur Rostron
Sir Arthur Henry Rostron, KBE, RD, RNR was a Captain for the Cunard Line and was the master of the ocean liner RMS Carpathia when it rescued the survivors of the RMS Titanic which sank on 15 April 1912 after striking an iceberg.Captain Rostron won wide praise for his energetic efforts to reach the...
after receiving the distress signal. Without his diligence, and the somewhat fortuitous circumstances, many more people might have died in the Titanic Disaster. Cottam was off duty and about to go to bed, but he left the radio on and listened to Cape Race, reputedly to learn the results of Saturdays' football matches. He heard Cape Race advise that they had private traffic for the Titanic and thought it would be helpful to inform the Titanic of this. In reply he received Jack Phillips's SOS call.
Cottam received a "hero's welcome" when the Carpathia reached New York. He continued to work at sea until 1922, when he took a job as a sales representative.