Wireless Watch Before Distress
Keeps his wireless headphones on while preparing to retire and consequently hears Titanic's distress traffic.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Harold Thomas Cottam Biography and Timeline
Follow Harold Thomas Cottam through 48 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Harold Thomas Cottam, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
48Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1912–1912Years on this page
1912
Baltic Contact after Rescue
Communicates with Baltic after Carpathia reaches the wreck area and survivors are recovered.
Baltic Rescue Report
Informs Baltic that Carpathia has reached the wreck area and recovered survivors from Titanic's boats.
Bridge Alert
Immediately reports Titanic's distress message to Carpathia's bridge.
CQD Interception
Unexpectedly intercepts Titanic's CQD announcing that the liner has struck an iceberg.
Californian Contact
Handles wireless communication involving Californian after the rescue operation is underway.
Captain Alerted
Ensures Captain Rostron is informed that Titanic has struck an iceberg and requires assistance.
Captain's Coming Message
Transmits Rostron's assurance that Carpathia is coming to Titanic's assistance.
Carpathia Position Sent
Transmits Carpathia's position during the wireless exchange with Titanic.
Continuous Wireless Duty
Remains at the wireless apparatus for prolonged duty as ships seek information about Titanic and the rescue.
Destination Requests Answered
Handles wireless questions from other ships asking where Carpathia intends to take the survivors.
Destination Revised to New York
Communicates the later decision that Carpathia will carry Titanic's survivors back to New York.
Frankfurt Inquiry Heard
Hears Frankfurt ask Titanic what is wrong during the wireless traffic surrounding the distress call.
Frankfurt Traffic Monitored
Monitors wireless exchanges between Titanic and Frankfurt during the emergency.
Full Speed Wireless Reply
Tells Titanic by wireless that Carpathia is steaming toward her as fast as possible.
Further Titanic Messages
Receives several additional wireless messages from Titanic after the initial distress call.
Iceberg Collision Message
Receives Titanic's warning that the ship has struck an iceberg and needs immediate assistance.
Initial Halifax Possibility
Passes information reflecting Rostron's initial consideration of Halifax as a possible destination after the rescue.
Last Message Without Reply
Sends a final message toward Titanic but receives no further answer from the sinking liner.
Lifeboat Readiness Message
Relays Rostron's message telling Titanic that Carpathia is coming and that rescue preparations are being made.
Multiple Titanic Signals Heard
Receives about four additional messages from Titanic after the initial CQD according to his later testimony.
Nearby Ships Contacted
Communicates with ships in the vicinity as information about the disaster and rescue is exchanged.
Official Messages Prioritized
Handles official messages authorized by Rostron concerning the sinking, survivors and Carpathia's destination.
Olympic Call Monitored
Hears Olympic attempting to call Titanic and helps draw Titanic's wireless operator's attention to the call.
Olympic Service Message
Hears Olympic calling Titanic with a master's service message during the developing emergency.
Rescue Communications Begin
Continues operating Carpathia's wireless station while survivors are being brought aboard.
Rescue Course Reply
Sends confirmation that Carpathia is steaming toward Titanic at the greatest speed possible.
Rescue Outcome Transmitted
Reports that Carpathia has picked up the survivors found in Titanic's small boats.
Titanic Alerted to Olympic
Tells Titanic's operator that Olympic is calling when the call has not initially been noticed.
Titanic CQD Heard by Chance
Hears Titanic's distress call largely by chance while still wearing his wireless headphones before retiring.
Titanic Communications End
Notes that Titanic stops answering wireless calls before Carpathia reaches the transmitted position.
Titanic Distress Call Received
Receives Titanic's distress traffic and alerts Carpathia's bridge so the ship can turn toward the reported position.
Titanic Lifeboat Warning Relayed
Relays Rostron's instruction that Titanic should have her lifeboats ready while Carpathia approaches.
Titanic Position Received
Receives Titanic's reported position for Carpathia's emergency run toward the liner.
Virginian Contact
Handles wireless communication with Virginian while ships exchange information about the Titanic disaster.
Wireless Position Exchange
Exchanges positional information needed for Carpathia's run toward Titanic.
Wireless Silence from Titanic
Recognizes that direct wireless communication with Titanic has ceased before Carpathia reaches the scene.
Relay Through Other Ships
Uses other ships as relays when direct communication with distant shore stations is difficult.
Survivor Lists Prepared for Radio
Receives survivor names gathered aboard Carpathia for transmission to anxious relatives and authorities.
Survivor Names Transmission
Transmits names of Titanic survivors from Carpathia as lists are assembled aboard the rescue ship.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.