Frankfurt called a Fool

[Svetlana Strezeva]

As heartwrenching as the whole tragedy is, I can't help laughing at the fact that the wireless operators aboard Titanic kept calling the German steamer Frankfurt's operator a "Fool" and told him to "keep out". Why is that? Why were they so rude to the guy who was so willing to help??

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From my own read of the event, it was because they kept cutting in while Titanic was attempting to get the word out on their situation. You can read some of the relevant testimony at

TIP | United States Senate Inquiry | Day 2 | Testimony of Harold S. Bride, cont.

Electronic - Fully Searchable - transcripts of the complete U.S. Senate and British Board of Trade inquiries, and reports, into the sinking of the S.S. 'Titanic.'

www.titanicinquiry.org

 

[Samuel Halpern]

Svetlana.

The Frankfurt's wireless operator was no fool. If anyone is interested in learning about the role that the Frankfurt played in the Titanic disaster other than Harold Bride's narrow point of view, you might want to get a copy of George Behe's two-part article in the THS's Titanic Commutator, "The Frankfurt Incident," 1990 Vol. 14, Issue No. 3 and No. 4.

 

[Jesse D O'Neill]

Svetlana

You may also want to read:

Bristow, D.E. (Diana E.). Titanic: Sinking the Myths

there is lengthy chapter in the book on the frankfurt and another lengthy chapter on wireless, and its all very detailed

 

[George L. Lorton]

Sounds to me from reading Mr. Bride's testimony at the senate committee that there was a lot of miscommunication between the Frankfurt and the Titanic on that night and that unfortunately when that happens people tend to get angry.

 

[Jesse D O'Neill]

George I would call what happened between Titanic and Frankfurt a result of Miscommincation and Company Rivalry between the the two wireless companies

 

[George L. Lorton]

Jesse >

Company Rivalry between the the two wireless companies.

That too. No wonder there was miscommunication.

 

[Roy Kristiansen]

A few years ago I tried placing a telephone call to a downtown audio/video company whose office was located about a mile-and-a-half distant - in other words, not a long-distance, or trunk call. After days of receiving nothing but a busy signal, I asked my phone company's tekkies to investigate. What they finally told me left me speechless: "The A/V company subscribes to a different service provider, so we can't connect you."

Roy

 

[Samuel Halpern]

Hi Roy. A call to the FCC after hearing that lame excuse will have corrected the problem within a day or two.

 

[Roy Kristiansen]

Hi, Sam!

I suspect you're right - I just wasn't as assertive back then.

Roy