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Jack Binns and the Wreck of the "Republic"

© Neal West

In December 1908, a devastating earthquake rocked Southern Italy. Estimated at 7.5 on the Richter Scale, the quake was detected by crude instruments as far away as Washington D.C. Centered in the Straits of Messina between the tip of the Italian "Boot" and the Northeastern tip of Sicily, the nearby town of Messina was destroyed. An estimated 150,000 people died in the city and another 50,000 in the rest of Italy. The destruction was so widespread that the Government of Italy redistributed survivors of the quake to other Italian cities. Many others immigrated to America. In 1909, 850 of these people boarded the cargo ship "Florida" for a new life in New York City.

As the "Florida" approached the coast of the United States in January 1909, the White Star Line's "Republic" was outbound from New York with a cargo of relief supplies, bound for the earthquake zone. Along with the supplies of food, clothing, blankets and tents, the "Republic" was rumored to be carrying $250,000 worth of gold and other supplies for Admiral Sperry's Great White Fleet in the Mediterranean.

On the morning of January 23, the "Republic" and "Florida" collided in a dense fog near the Nantucket Lightship. The "Florida's" bow was crushed in as it pierced the hull of the Republic, killing two passengers, knocking out all electrical power, and damaging her wireless. The "Republic's" wireless operator, Jack Binns, quickly made repairs and began transmitting CQD, the international call for help as his ship began to slowly take on water. Binns, 25, was an orphan from Lincolnshire, England who had been studying telegraphy since the age of fourteen and before joining the British Marconi Company had worked for the British Post Office. He had been with the "Republic" for three years when he found the lives of 1300 people were dependent on him. Since the power was out, Binns's was working off of battery power only, and in total darkness.

At the Marconi station at Nantucket, Jack Irwin was working the lonely midnight - 8 a.m. shift when he picked up the "Republic's" faint signal: The Republic. We are shipwrecked. Stand by for Captain's message. And then a few minutes later, after consulting with his Captain, Binn's sent this message: Republic rammed by unknown steamer. Twenty-six miles southwest of Nantucket Lightship. Badly in need of immediate assistance, but no danger to life.

Irwin in effect became the "Republic's" relay station, relaying messages from Binns aboard the "Republic" to the rescue ships. Irwin began contacting all ships in the area to go to "Republic's" aid. The closest was the "Baltic," only 80 miles away.