Guglielmo Marconi’s introduction of wireless communication via Morse code transformed communications at sea. In 1912, when the Titanic sank, it was the Cunard liner Carpathia – which had a radio officer on duty – who was able to respond to the ship’s distress signals, rescuing 700 survivors. We look at this and other early use of wireless at sea.

DELIVERY MODE

• Hybrid (F2F & Online simultaneously)

COURSE OUTLINE

• Early wireless experiments – Tesla and Marconi
• Marcroni’s further development of the technology
• The first successful ship to shore message in 1899: East Goodwin lightship to the South Foreland Longhouse
• Introduction of wireless to ships
• Mawson’s 1912 experiment with wireless to the Antarctica via Macquarie Island
• The sinking of the Titanic, 1912
• Wireless introduced to Australian coastal Lighthouses and other locations

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the importance of wireless technology to communications at sea (and later in the air)
2. Understand the resources and training required to ensure that wireless telephony was operational for early users.