First Use of S.O.S. Distress Signal
The S.O.S. distress signal is a universal call for help that was first adopted in the early 20th century, primarily used in maritime emergencies. It is based on Morse code, where the letter S is represented by three dots, and O by three dashes, forming the easily recognizable pattern ". . . - - - . . .". This signal was first utilized on June 10, 1909, when the Cunard Line passenger ship Slavonia ran aground in the Azores while traveling from New York City to Trieste, Italy. The urgency of the situation prompted the nearby ship Princess Irene to respond, successfully rescuing 110 passengers on the same day. The remaining 300 passengers were saved the following day by another ship, the Batavia. The adoption of S.O.S. has since become a critical means of communication in emergencies, symbolizing the need for immediate assistance across various contexts. Its simplicity and distinctiveness contribute to its ongoing relevance in distress signaling today.
First Use of S.O.S. Distress Signal
First Use of S.O.S. Distress Signal
The famous distress signal S.O.S. was first adopted as a universal signal and appeal for help in times of emergency during the early 20th century. It derives from the Morse code, a system of telegraph signals in which a pattern of dots and dashes sent electronically are used to represent all of the letters of the alphabet. The signal for the letter S is three dots and the signal for the letter O is three dashes, so the S.O.S. signal is an electronic transmission (or, occasionally, a transmission by other means, such as flashing lights) which conveys “. . . - - - . . .” or “dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot.” This new distress signal was first used on June 10, 1909, by the Slavonia, a passenger ship of the Cunard Line which ran aground on the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean while en route from New York City to Trieste, a city now in northern Italy. A ship called the Princess Irene responded that same day and took 110 passengers aboard. The remaining 300 passengers were rescued the next day by the Batavia.