Harold Cottam
Harold Thomas Cottam (January 27th, 1891 – May 30th, 1984) was the wireless operator on the RMS Carpathia when the SOS from the sinking RMS Titanic was sent. It was also he who awakened Captain Arthur Henry Rostron after receiving the distress signal. Without his diligence, and the somewhat fortuitous circumstances, many more people might have died in the Titanic disaster.
Biography[]
Harold Thomas Cottam was born on January 27th 1891 in Southwell, Nots, England; eldest of five children, to his parents William and Jane Cottam.
Cottam attended Minter Grammar School and later on studied the Marconi Wireless System at the British School of Telegraphy in London, he was the youngest to ever graduate from the school, finishing in 1908 at the age of 17. He went to sea right after, but returned to shore to work at one of the Post Office shore stations.
He returned to sea aboard the White Star Line’s SS Medic, making two-round voyages on the Liverpool-Sydney route before transferring to the Cunard Lines RMS Carpathia in February 1912, one of his voyages was from New York to Fiume. On April 15th 1912 at 12:30 A.M. Cottam was about to go to bed, as his duty ended 30 minutes prior, but he left the radio to await an answer from the SS Parisian, and he decided to listen to Cape Race, reputedly to learn the results of Saturday's football matches as well as the news about the English coal strike. In between he filled in the radio-log and sign out at the Officer of the night's watch. When he returned, he heard Cape Race advise that they had private traffic for the Titanic and thought it would be helpful to inform the Titanic of this. Harold Bride was also a friend of his. In reply, he received Jack Phillips's CQD call. Harold asked if he should inform his captain and he got confirmation.
He went to First Officer Dean with this news and both stormed off to the Captain's cabin and barged in. Rostron wanted to do a number on them but when he listened to the hastily related message Cottam told him, he sprung into action. Cottom later remembered how they were usually at a service speed of 13 to 14 knots, but that night managed to steam up to 17,5 knots.
Cottam received a "hero's welcome" when the Carpathia reached New York. He continued to work at sea until 1922, when he took a job as a sales representative.
Portrayals[]
A Night to Remember (1958)[]
Harold Cottam in A Night to Remember (1958)
Harold Cottam was portrayed by Alec McCowen in A Night to Remember (1958).
S.O.S. Titanic (1979)[]
.png){kind=link}
Harold Cottam in S.O.S. Titanic (1979)
Harold Cottam was portrayed by Christopher Strauli in S.O.S. Titanic (1979).
1996 Miniseries Titanic[]
Harold Cottam in the 1996 Miniseries Titanic
Harold Cottam was portrayed by an uncredited actor in the 1996 Miniseries Titanic.