GODALMING RULED THE AIR WAVES LAST WEEKEND
Godalming,
Surrey, ruled the world’s air waves last weekend (Saturday 13th and
Sunday 14th April) when 2685 radio enthusiasts in over 100 countries
used Morse code to contact radio station GB90MGY – set up to honour the memory
of local hero, Jack Phillips, Chief Wireless Telegraphist on the Titanic which
sank on her maiden voyage 90 years ago and over 1500 lives were lost.
The
liner stayed afloat for 2 hours and 40 minutes after striking an iceberg.
Jack stayed at his post sending out distress messages in Morse code until
losing his life when the ship went down. Answering
his calls the Carpathia saved over 700 lives.
The
special radio station was operated by 20 local enthusiasts – the Titanic
Wireless Commemorative Group – who were on air from 10.30 a.m. on the SATURDAY
until 5.47 Greenwich Mean Time (6.47 British Summer-Time) on MONDAY (15th
April) precisely 90 years after the last signal was received.
“We
believed that to exchange greetings with radio stations worldwide, using Morse
code like Jack would be a fitting tribute to his heroism, but the results
exceeded our hopes by far”, said Brian Grist, Chairman of the Group.
The
radio link-up was launched on Friday evening (12th April) by
Broadcasting Consultant, Ralph Barrett, who spoke on the early use of radio to
summon help and played taped interviews with Titanic survivors.
The
radio station was run in co-operation with Godalming Museum where an exhibition
on the life and times of Jack Phillips continues until Saturday 25th
May. Included is historic Marconi
equipment.
For
further information please contact:
Titanic
Wireless Commemorative Group:
Michael
Shortland: Tel: +44(0)1483 574996; msa-consult@dial.pipex.com;
(G0EFO).
Godalming
Museum:
Derek
Watson, Publicity Officer: Tel (home) +44(0)1483 414673
Museum:
Tel +44(0)1483 426510; museum@godalming.ndo.co.uk