SOS What?

shintao

Take Down ~ Tap Out
Aug 27, 2010
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What does SOS mean? Who uses it? Who does it apply to?

This might make an interesting thread.
 
"Save Our Ship?"
"Save Our Souls?"

Who knows?

Know the very first use of this international distress signal? the Cunard liner Slavonia on June 10, 1909. The Titanic, which first used the still standard (at the time) CQD after hitting the iceberg, commonly gets credited though, for first use.
 
The Marconi Yearbook of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony , 1918 states, "This signal [SOS] was adopted simply on account of its easy radiation and its unmistakable character. There is no special signification in the letter themselves, and it is entirely incorrect to put full stops between them [the letters]." All the popular interpretations of "SOS," "Save Our Ship," "Save Our Souls," or "Send Out Succour" are simply not valid. Stations hearing this distress call were to immediately cease handling traffic until the emergency was over and were likewise bound to answer the distress signal.

SOS is the universal distress called used by all maritime vessels.

What is the Meaning of SOS? - BoatSafe.com
 
Japan uses SOS
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ABBA uses SOS
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f19GKcZU1vg"]ABBA SOS[/ame]
 
So we have a signal code whose letters mean nothing, but it is more a symbolism, and applies to maritime use. But not per-say to land forces, where a flag might be used, such as a white flag for surrendering.
 
So we have a signal code whose letters mean nothing, but it is more a symbolism, and applies to maritime use. But not per-say to land forces, where a flag might be used, such as a white flag for surrendering.
SOS means,

"Come and fucking GET us, we are in a world of shit here!"
 
So we have a signal code whose letters mean nothing, but it is more a symbolism, and applies to maritime use. But not per-say to land forces, where a flag might be used, such as a white flag for surrendering.



The international SOS "flag"



sos.jpg
 
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So we have a signal code whose letters mean nothing, but it is more a symbolism, and applies to maritime use. But not per-say to land forces, where a flag might be used, such as a white flag for surrendering.



The international SOS "flag"



sos.jpg

Did it say it only applies to maritime, or for others as well?? I see Japan is using SOS, and the H is hospital.
 
So we have a signal code whose letters mean nothing, but it is more a symbolism, and applies to maritime use. But not per-say to land forces, where a flag might be used, such as a white flag for surrendering.



The international SOS "flag"



sos.jpg

Did it say it only applies to maritime, or for others as well?? I see Japan is using SOS, and the H is hospital.


SOS (CQD) started as a maritime distress signal. It is now a universal distress signal, land see or air.
 
"Save Our Ship"
"Save Our Souls"
"Send Out Succour"
"... --- ..."

The Telegraph Office "'SOS,' 'CQD' and the History of Maritime Distress Calls"
At the second Berlin Radiotelegraphic Conference of 1906, the subject of a distress signal was again addressed. The distress signal chosen was "SOS." Popular accounts portray the adoption of "SOS" as being derived from "SOE," which the Germans had used as a general inquiry call. These accounts suggest there was objection because the final letter of "SOE" was a single dot, hard to copy in adverse conditions. The letter "S" was substituted accounts say, for three dots, three dashes and three dots could not be misinterpreted.

Popular accounts of the origin of "SOS" fail to mention that the Germans had used "SOS" for a distress signal. They adopted the signal "SOS" for distress as well as "SOE" for inquiry on April 1, 1905, a year before the Berlin conference. The Electrician, May 5, 1905 published "German Regulations for the Control of Spark Telegraphy" which stated: "...---..., "Distress" signal (Notzeichen). This is to be repeated by a ship in distress until all other stations have stopped working."

Unfortunately, the 1906 Conference proceedings do not give an account of the discussions nor the origin of SOS. The proceedings merely specify what the signal will be. In the Service Regulations Affixed to the International Wireless Telegraph Convention, paragraph 6a, "Signals of Transmission" states: "Ships in distress shall use the following signal: ...---... repeated at brief intervals."

"This signal [SOS] was adopted simply on account of its easy radiation and its unmistakable character. There is no special signification in the letter themselves, and it is entirely incorrect to put full stops between them [the letters]." All the popular interpretations of "SOS," "Save or Ship," "Save Our Souls," or "Send Out Succour" are simply not valid. Stations hearing this distress call were to immediately cease handling traffic until the emergency was over and were likewise bound to answer the distress signal.

Although the use of "SOS" was officially ratified in 1908, the use of "CQD" lingered for several more years, especially in British service where it originated. It is well documented in personal accounts of Harold Bride, second Radio Officer, and in the logs of the SS Carpathia, that the Titanic first used "CQD" to call for help. When Captain Smith gave the order to radio for help, first radio officer Jack Phillips sent "CQD" six times followed by the Titanic call letters, "MGY." Later, at Brides suggestion, Phillips interspersed his calls with "SOS."
 
...---...

It needs no language. It is something that can be seen and or heard and understood by all.

Three short, three long, three short.

 
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