There are words that came from another language and have remained so. There are many of them, and gradually they become archaisms, being replaced by other words with the same meaning.
But there is one word that has become international. It is understood by everyone who is connected with the sea. This is an SOS signal. The transcript is translated in different ways, but in Russian the most common was “save our souls.”
The role of the invention of radio in saving people
How to send a signal for help to the ship? Previously, this could be done with cannon shots, an inverted national flag and lowered sails.
Agree, on the high seas all this will be useless if another ship does not pass nearby. But with the discovery of the radio comes another countdown. From now on, it has become possible to transmit information over much greater distances than before.
At first, there were no international codes requiring urgently to go to the aid of a ship in trouble. The signals were transmitted by radio in Morse code, using short and long signals. The icebreaker Ermak was the first to receive such an alarm. A radio station based in Finland broadcast an order for the immediate rescue of fifty fishermen. An ice floe broke off and they were carried away from the shore.
It happened on February 6, 1900. The first rescue operation was completed successfully, the icebreaker took all the fishermen on board. Today, much more technological means of communication are used, but ships are still equipped with radio transmitters.
Signals that preceded SOS
This incident led to the adoption of a unified distress signaling system. It was decided to use Morse code, but to establish a single international code.
Three years after the rescue of people off the coast of Finland, the code CQ (the first letters of the phrase come quick, which translates as “come quickly”) began to be used for this. Next year, the Marconi company, which produced radio transmitters, proposes adding the letter D to the code (for the first letter of the word danger, which means "danger")
German Telefunken, a competitor to the Italians, introduces its own combination of letters - SOE ("Save Our Ship"). America has entered its own code - NC (need salvation), that is, "I need salvation."
Each radiotelegraph transmitted "its" signal. It could only be understood on the same equipment. This led to the fact that the Vaterland liner refused to provide important information to the American ship Lebanon, which was in a hurry to search for the vessel. This happened due to the ban on negotiations with those who do not have Marconi equipment.
A bit of history
In 1906, after several discussions on this issue, the telegraph operators of the world receive the SOS signal, replacing the SOE code. It happened on October 6 in Berlin.
To make it clear what it is exactlyinternational code, it was decided to adopt another character in Morse code. It consists of three dashes, enclosed on both sides by three dots. No breaks - SOS.
Decryption of the word as such no longer existed, since these letters no longer meant anything. And in different languages there were different transcriptions. Brevity, recognizability, convenience of distinguishing from snatches of speech - this served as the basis for the adoption of the SOS signal.
However, due to conflicting instructions from radio equipment manufacturers, this code was introduced universally only from 1908. And even after that, there were still overlaps. For example, the sinking Titanic was transmitting CQD due to the fact that it had a Marconi apparatus.
First signals
Before 1912, there were several uses of the new signal, but help arrived on time and the need for a unified signal system was not yet obvious.
After the tragedy of the Titanic, it became necessary. As prescribed, after the iceberg disaster, the radio operator sent a CQD signal, later - at his own risk - SOS. But the paradox is that the ships nearby mistook this for the pranks of the passengers.
After the death of one and a half thousand people, this signal was no longer ignored.
SOS abbreviation in English
Although there is no official transcript, since these are not words abbreviated by the first letters, some options have nevertheless taken root among the people:
- Save Our Souls - a phrase immediately coined by sailors,became the most famous. It means "save our souls". These romantic words served as a source of inspiration for the authors of poems and songs. It is largely thanks to them that this maritime code is so widely known.
- Instead of "soul" the word "ship" is often used - Save Our Ship.
- Swim Or Sink - a cry for help, translated as "swim or sink".
- Stop Other Signals At a time like this, other signals are really inappropriate.
- SOS ("save me from death") - a logical transcript in Russian.
All these variants are formed after the selection of the international Morse code. In writing, it looks like three Latin letters with a line above them.
Reserved frequency
Together with the set signal, a special frequency of its transmission is also highlighted. The fifteenth and forty-fifth minutes of each hour are allocated for listening to the air. This time is called radio silence. All messages are interrupted in order to hear the call for help.
In 1927, a ban on broadcasting at a frequency of 500 kHz was established. In addition to the SOS signal, the frequency is used for other messages that threaten security (mines, shallowing of the fairway, etc.).
With the development of radio communication, it became possible to transmit information by voice. In order not to confuse it with the SOS signal, the decoding of which does not exist in English, they adopted the word Mayday, which in French means "come to my aid." And forvoice messages have been allocated a different air frequency.
SOS is losing relevance
Technological progress does not stand still. In 1999, an automated warning system appeared. It's called GMDSS. It uses satellite navigation.
Nevertheless, radio operators still listen to the air, so as not to miss the important three letters.
Now tourists in trouble can attract attention with a bonfire of the letters SOS. Decryption is no longer needed, since it is clear to everyone. Although the term comes from the marine lexicon, this word is also used in figurative meanings, the meaning of which conveys desperate requests for help.
Such famous pop groups as ABBA, "Spleen" and some others used this sea code in their work. V. Vysotsky sang about the dying sailors who used the most famous SOS decoding.
And although it sounds less and less at sea, it is a good word. It has taken root in many languages and is perceived by people far from maritime charters as “save our souls.”
