For our radio, communication, and sea life history buffs out there, here is a quick and obscure history lesson – let’s talk radio knowledge. Who has seen a Radio Room Clock? Also known in the U.S. as a Chelsea Clock. These have a very interesting and somewhat sad history dating back to the sinking of the Titanic. In response to that tragedy in April of 1912, many have identified numerous avoidable issues and flaws, but the one we are going to discuss today is communications.
It is stated that once the Titanic’s crew realized their fate, they were unsuccessful in reaching anyone with their distress calls due to a large amount of constant radio chatter that evening. Many hundreds of people lost their lives that night and some postulate that had the distress call gotten out properly maybe rescue ships could have responded and saved lives.
The radios of the time were called Spark Gap radios which ran on a very broad bandwidth and also did not have a good range. These radios are banned today due to their limitations and wide bandwidth, highlighted by the Titanic incident. When too many people talk on the Spark Gap radios, it blanks out the entire signal making it impossible to receive a call, and in this case, an emergency call.
In August of 1912, Congress passed “The Radio Room Act” which finally created regulations and outlined requirements for radio use and communication for seafarers and their necessary partners on land. The law required every radio room on shore or out at sea to be manned 24 hours by at least two qualified and licensed operators in order to intercept any distress signals.
With these new regulations and international agreements on maritime etiquette, there also came a new clock design. A 24-hour clock face with intervals at the 00 and 30-minute marks colored in green to mark three minutes of radio silence to allow any ships in distress to be heard. Later, two more intervals were added at the 15 and 45-minute marks colored in red for additional three minutes of silence to listen for any emergency radio messages on broader bandwidths.
In modern digital days, there is not quite as much need for these traditions since messages are able to reach anyone at pretty much any time. But it is an excellent reflection on when people were required to be mindful and available. It’s also nice to see international agreements for safety and assistance in emergencies. These moments of silence are still adhered to today.
This Radio Room Clock is a pleasant reminder of the traditions of old and how everyone can work together to correct human errors that too often end in tragedy.
