George Alfred Unwin

George Alfred Unwin 2, born on April 26, 1866, at 8 Great Clive Street, Toxteth Park. He was baptised at St Peter's Church, Liverpool, on August 30, 1866.

On May 23, 1885, he married Rebecca Hannah Mulvey at St Silas's Church, Liverpool.

George Alfred was a ship's steward and on Jan 23, 1909, was on the sinking White Star liner RMS Republic when she sent the world's first radio distress signal - CQD, Come Quickly, Danger.

He was taken ill on RMS Franconia and died of peritonitis on June 26, 1928, in a Catholic convent/hospital in Brooklyn, New York, USA. His body was brought back on RMS Lusitania, and he is buried in Kirkdale Cemetery, Liverpool.

RMS Republic

George Alfred's CQD medal, especially struck for the crew, has passed down the Unwin side of the family.

It is said that if the radio-co-ordinated rescue had not been so successful, lessons would have been learned and the Titanic tragedy of 1912 may have been prevented.

The 15,378 ton RMS Republic was built in Belfast, Northern Ireland, by Harland & Wolff, the same shipbuilders who later constructed Titanic.

In the early morning hours of January 23, 1909, Republic was en route from New York to the Mediterranean with 742 passengers and crew. She was commanded by Captain William Sealby. He ordered a small reduction in speed as the steamer entered thick fog southwest of Nantucket Island. The ship's whistle was used at regular intervals to alert any vessel in the area.

Suddenly at 5:47 a.m., a whistle was heard that did not originate from SS Republic. This one came from off the port bow. The engines were ordered to full astern and the helm to hard-a-port. During this time, two blasts of the whistle signalled Captain Sealby's intention. The captain and officers waited. Out of the fog the bow of a ship could be seen. It sliced into tRepublic amidships at almost a right angle, instantly killing three passengers sleeping in their cabins. Momentum then separated the two ships and within minutes, Republic would be alone in the fog again.

Water poured into the engine and boiler rooms of Republic causing a noticeable list. The ship was also without power. Radio operator Jack Binns was awakened by the collision with his cabin in ruins. He wired the new Marconi set with backup batteries and sent out a distress signal. This was the first time in history that the signal CQD was used from a ship in distress. The call was received at Nantucket Island and relayed to all ships in the area. The first to get the message was the White Star liner Baltic. She altered course for Republic's position.

Captain Sealby had calmly ordered the passengers to gather on the upper decks. He supplied coffee and blankets while he assured them that rescue was on its way.

The first ship on the scene was not Baltic, but the ship involved in the collision, the Lloyd Italiano liner Florida. As a result of the collision, Florida's bow had been crushed back to a collision bulkhead. Three of her crewmen were killed. Fortunately for the 900 Italian emigrants on board, Florida was not in danger of sinking.

During the initial phase of rescue, the passengers were calmly transferred from Republic to Florida. This left Florida dangerously overloaded. Baltic had arrived in the vicinity, but due to the fog, was unable to locate Republic until around 7pm. At this time, all passengers from Florida were transferred to Baltic. As was customary, women and children were taken off first. Then the original first-class men of Republic were transferred. A riot almost erupted from the Italian immigrants when they were considered last. Order was maintained and Baltic steamed for New York.

Captain Sealby, Jack Binns and a skeleton crew remained on Republic in an effort to save her. New York and the Cunard liner Lucania remained while a tow line was attached from revenue cutters. The attempt to bring her closer to land failed, and during the afternoon of January 24, 1909, Republic slipped quietly into the ocean. The captain and remaining crew were picked up at of the water by the revenue cutter Senaca.

Republic today is located 50 miles south of Nantucket Island, at Loran 14073.1 43453.4 in 250 feet of water. The wreck is sitting upright on a sandy bottom. Visibility in the area can reach 60 feet. The superstructure is collapsing. Penetration into the wreck is possible, with many holes created by salvage operations. The interior is loaded with artifacts; personal items, lamps, china, and brass of all types. Deep inside the wreck is a reported fortune in gold coins.

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