Publications: QE2 Radio Room and Marine Radio History

[Lynda Bradford]

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This topic is specifically for you to add any publications on the QE2 Radio Room or History of Marine Radio.  Where possible please add links to the articles/books.


History of Marine Radio

Radio Communication, first installed on ships in the early 20th Century, was mainly used for transmitting and receiving passenger telegrams. 

There were no regulations for ships to carry a radio or standardisation of radio officer's hours. But this was to change in 1912 when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sunk. 

 Arlo Maritime AS website article states  "1500 people perished in the disaster. Fortunately, 700 people were saved, thanks mainly to the efforts of the Titanic’s two radio officers, who managed to summon help from nearby vessels. However, the vessel closest to the disaster could not be summoned, as her Radio Officer had just gone off watch after 12 hours on duty."

The Titanic disaster brought about a number of fundamental changes:

A ship's radio onboard was a requirement
Watch-keeping hours were standardised
Message priorities were standardised
Distress frequencies were standardised
Radio silence periods were introduced

Arlo Maritime AS History of Marine Radio web page has more information including information on Marine Radio developments over the years, such as:

High Frequency (HF)
Bridge to Bridge Communications - Marine VHF Radio Band known as Talk Between Ships (TBS)
Marine Radar
Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS)

[Lynda Bradford]

"The Radio Department has come a long way since 1922" - see Cunard Publication attachment where the author states necessity to recall the early history of marine radio associated with Marconi and the changes following the tragic Titanic event to realise the pace of change for marine electronics.  (not sure why in the article, he refers to Cunard's Titanic when it was a White Star Line ship).

Thank-you to Roger Latham for providing this article from the Cunard Magazine "Cunarder" Winter Spring 1974  Attached is the text version of this article plus pdf version that Roger has provided





Sources of information on The Brocklebank Line that is mentioned in the article:
Ships List: details of The Brocklebank Line (Thos and Jno Brocklebank)

see National Archives: T&J Brocklebank Ltd - 1919 Won appeal against Government refusal to permit sale of ships abroad. Cunard bought shares held by Brocklebank and Bates interests (remaining 2/5ths held by Anchor, bought later in 1940)[/url

[Lynda Bradford]

Electronics February 1970 Note: takes time to load the pdf



Shipboard Electronics fit for a Queen



Thank-you to Roger Latham for providing information and pictures from this magazine

[Lynda Bradford]

The New Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2 Press Guide Section 8:  Radio Communications