About the product

CQD Medal 1909

CQD Medal, silver, Awarded to the crews of White Star Steamship Republic, S.S. Florida and S.S. Baltic for saving the lives of the Republic in the Atlantic on 21st January 1909.

Out of stock

Origin: United Kingdom
Very Fine

Description

CQD Medal, silver, Awarded to the crews of White Star Steamship Republic, S.S. Florida and S.S. Baltic for saving the lives of the Republic in the Atlantic on 21st January 1909.

 

The rescue of the nearly 1700 passengers and crew from the Republic and the Florida in the Baltic was the defining moment in wireless rescue history. During a dense fog the Republic was rammed by the Italian ship S.S. Florida. Marconi Wireless Operator Jack Binns of the Republic sent out the first “CQD” (The Florida had no wireless communication). As a reulst the Baltic came to the rescue, after hours searching for them.
This event led the maritime industry to equip as many ships as possible with wireless in case of another incident, it was the very first use in the UK of the new distress signal.