Friday 17 February 2012

Titanic and Arthur Moore radio operator

Arthur Moore and the Titanic

I had never heard this story until this week, even though Arthur Moore lived only a few miles away.  I hope you find it interesting. 


Artie, as he was known in Blackwood, South Wales, was a young lad living at The Mill, Gelligroes and in the early twentieth century he was experimenting with radio communication, which was in its early days.   He was reknowned for providing national news to the local area a day or so before it was available through the newspapers.  

On 15th April 1912, Artie received a very faint transmission of morse code, "CQD SOS 11.50pm from MGY we have struck an iceberg sinking fast come to our assistance position lat 41.46 north Lon 50.14 west MGY.”    It continued, "Sinking we are putting passengers off in small boats weather clear."    With wireless communication in its infancy and the Titanic being 'unsinkable,' his message was received locally with disbelief.   Two days later, when the story of the tragedy was reported in the newspapers, Artie achieved notoriety.


His abilities were recognised and went on and achieved further advances in the field of radio during his career (1887-1949).

Further information on Artie and the 100 year celebration of his achievements can be found at the following link for Blackwood Amateur Radio Society: 
http://www.gw6gw.co.uk/local_history.html

Details of the sinking of the Titanic can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Titanic

There is also an unconfirmed rumour that the coal on the Titanic was from Six Bells.  Someone is reported to have purchased a piece of the coal raised from the wreck, and it had subsequently been labelled "Six Bells."

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