Many think "SOS" stands for "save our souls" or "save our ship," but it actually doesn't stand for anything. SOS is a Morse Code distress signal. Morse Code is a system that uses dots, dashes and spaces to communicate letters and numbers.
In Morse Code, “SOS” is a signal sequence of three dits, three dats, and another three dits spelling “S-O-S”. The expression “Save Our Ship” was probably coined by sailors to signal for help from a vessel in distress.
Nope, it's not "save our ship." Not even close.
“Save Our Souls!” “Save On Socks (at Sal's Irregular Sock Emporium)!” Technically “SOS,” doesn't officially stand for any of these phrases. It's the international abbreviation for distress—not to be confused with an acronym (see acronym vs.
If you've been wondering “what does SOS stand for?” The truth is that it doesn't stand for anything. The Morse Code is a line of three dots, three dashes, and three more dots. It's designed to be easy to communicate to others. The pattern is simple, recognizable, hard to mistake for anything else and easy to remember.
SOS is a morse code distress signal, used internationally, that was originally established for maritime use. It stands for the expression "Save our Ship," which was coined by sailors to signal for help from a vessel in distress.
Usage. Historically, prefixes for civilian vessels often identified the vessel's mode of propulsion, such as "MV" (motor vessel), "SS" (screw steamer; often cited as "steam ship"), or "PS" (paddle steamer).
The RMS TITANIC was designated as a 'Royal Mail Ship,' meaning the Ship had been contracted to carry Royal (British) Mail. TITANIC was also referred to as an SS ship which stands for 'steamship', indicating that the propulsion was steam powered, but 'SS' had less prestige than 'RMS', so it was used less.
SOS was chosen as the universal distress signal because this combination of three dots followed by three dashes followed by three dots (…–…), was easy to send and easily recognized, especially since they were usually sent as a nine-character signal, which stood out against the background of three-character Morse Code ...
On 3 October 1906 the 'SOS' signal was established as an International Distress Signal by an agreement made between the British Marconi Society and the German Telefunk organisation at the Berlin Radio Conference. The signal was formally introduced on 1 July 1908. Why was SOS chosen to signify a distress signal?
An S O S sent by morse code is a well-known distress signal. It is three short taps followed by three long taps, and then three short taps again. Practice it by knocking on a table or flicking a light switch.
But by 1912 when Titanic sailed, there was another, competing distress signal on the scene: “SOS.” There's a common misnomer that the distress call is short for “Save Our Ship” or “Save Our Souls,” but the letters didn't stand for anything—it was an adaptation of an existing German radio call.
Titanic's shipboard time was 1 hour and 50 minutes ahead of Eastern Standard Time which was used at Cape Race. Titanic first used the distress call CQD, later adding the new code, SOS.
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) provides long-term support to surviving Families of fallen Soldiers. Our goal is to reassure survivors that they remain valued members of the Army Family.
Many think "SOS" stands for "save our souls" or "save our ship," but it actually doesn't stand for anything. SOS is a Morse Code distress signal. Morse Code is a system that uses dots, dashes and spaces to communicate letters and numbers.
CQD and SOS
The distress signal CQD originated from the signal CQ, expressing "seeking you," or "all stations." The signal CQ was commonly used among wireless operators -- and land-based telegraphers before them -- as a time-saving means of addressing all stations from one signal.
When SOS appears in your iPhone status bar, it means a mobile network is available for emergency calls. You can also add emergency contacts. After an emergency call has ended, your iPhone can alert your emergency contacts with a text message, unless you choose to cancel this option.
The Coast Guard discontinued monitoring in 1995. The requirement that ships monitor for distress signals was removed in 1999, though the U.S. Navy still teaches at least some sailors to read, send and receive Morse code. Aviators also use Morse code to identify automated navigational aids.
During darkness, fire is an effective visual means for signaling. Build three fires in a triangle (the international distress signal) or in a straight line with about 25 meters (83 feet) between the fires. Build them as soon as time and the situation permit and protect them from the elements until you need them.
Although Titanic was primarily a passenger liner, she also carried a substantial amount of cargo. Her designation as a Royal Mail Ship (RMS) indicated that she carried mail under contract with the Royal Mail (and also for the United States Post Office Department).
Another long standing military prefix is “HMS,” which is short for “Her (or His) Majesty's Ship.” This is the British equivalent to USS and refers to all vessels of the Royal Navy. Most militaries worldwide use similar designations to refer to their military vessels and distinguish them from civilian shipping.
The reason the titanic is often referred to as 'RMS Titanic' is because the RMS stands for Royal Mail Ship.
SS often stood for "steamship," as steam what made these vessels operate. It was also a clear indicator that a boat differed from the slower performing means of propulsion, such as sailing and rowing power.
The prefixes can also refer to a few letters used to denote a specific fact. Ship prefixes used on merchant vessels mainly point out the propulsion technique employed in the ship, such as the abbreviation “SS”, which means “steamship”, indicating that the ship runs on steam propulsion.
Copper oxide has a reddish tinge, thus giving the paint it's much famous red colour. That is why ships are painted red below the hull. As the primary biocide, Tri-Butyl Tin (TBT) served as a deterrent against the growth of marine organisms on the ship's hull even a few years back.