First ship stations were
commercially used on big transatlantic passenger liners in 1900. One of the first
wireless equipment was installed on board of the South Godwin Lightvessel.
According to the records
this ship sent the first "SOS" call when it was struck by an other vessel and sunk.
Passenger ships were choosen primarily because many wealthy people on board will sent
many telegrams!
A great problem was to bring up the antennas for longwave frequencies. Usually was a
T - type areal which hung between fore- and aftermast. The radio shack was very often in a
hut which was placed on the top deck of the ship. The operators had their accomodation
in the hut as well.
At the ende of year 1910 there were about 70 ships equipped with wireless stations.
By the years regulations become more and more stricter and regulations
call for one radio officer at least for ships in excess of 1600 gross tons.
Until the 1930s only longwave and later on medium wave frequencies of 600 m wavelength
were in use.
View of the receiving hardware of passenger liner SS "Imperator"
North German Lloyd Bremen
At Left 'big' and at right 'small' receiver
There are no tubes or amplifiers, only coils and condensors
