Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/132

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SIR JOHN HENNIKER HEATON

NEWS MESSAGE.

The Marconi International Marine Communication Company, Ltd.



R.M.S. "MALOJA."

17th April 1912.

News received direct from Fremantle Station.

A message received from Halifax says:

The "Titanic" is entirely lost

The s.s. "Virginian" reports that although she was called by Wireless she arrived too late

The s.s, "Carpathian" has picked up life boats containing 675 passengers

It is generally conceded that there are no survivors other than the 675 as first reported

Estimated death roll 2403

For such lives as were saved the undying gratitude of two nations went out to Marconi. His marvellous invention enabled the devoted heroism of the Marconi operator, Mr John Phillips, to send out cries for help from the sinking ship, which were heard and answered by the s.s. "Carpathian" and other vessels.

It was during H. H.'s visit to Sydney in 1912 that a presentation was made to him of an illuminated address and a gold and silver inkstand mounted on Australian blackwood. The lid was inlaid with penny stamps of Canada, New Zealand, India, New South Wales, and South Africa; beneath this there was the inscription: "Presented to Sir John Henniker Heaton as a souvenir from the citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia."

The address was as follows: