The Titanic and the California: A Tragedy of Distance
Historical Account★★★★In the year 1912 England sent her greatest steamship across the Atlantic Ocean. It was the “Titanic,” the largest ship built up to that time.
Half way across the ocean the ship hit a submerged iceberg and soon sank, carrying to death most of the passengers. At the moment of the tragedy the steamship “California” was only about thirty miles away. It was before the days of full and complete radio service, though the wireless was in existence.
Wireless operators at that time were few, and. there was only one of them on the “California.” He closed his apparatus that night at 10:30 and went to bed. An hour later the “Titanic” operator was sending out frantic S O S signals, but the wireless set on the “California” was closed and deaf to the pleas for help.
The “Titanic” went down while another ship which could have reached her side in less than an hour went sailing on her course totally unaware of the tragedy.
Also attributed to: Unknown
The point
In 1912, the Titanic sank within reach of the California, whose wireless operator had gone off duty, making the ship deaf to distress calls. This illustration warns against spiritual drowsiness and missed opportunities to help the perishing.