This Day in History January 23, 1909

I find this interesting that this happened three years prior to the Titanic. This was also a White Star Line ship called the RMS Republic.  It collided with the Italian ship Florida due to dense fog.  And on this date in 1909, a distress signal went out over the radio.  And thus began the first ever radio rescue at sea.  Those who survived the initial collision were evacuated to the RMS Baltic.

For more information:
http://famousdaily.com/history/the-first-radio-rescue-at.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Republic_(1903)
http://www.rms-republic.com/index.php

This Day in History November 19, 1915

I always like to bring positive stories when I can, and this is one I really like for today.  On this date in 1915, one of the most exciting episodes in WWI occurred.  I am not a WWI buff, but I think this story does sound pretty exciting.

British airman Richard Bell Davies was flying alongside Flight Sub-Lieutenant Gilbert F. Smylie.  They were on a bombing mission, and their target was Ferrijik (located near the Aegean Sea and the border of Bulgaria and Ottoman-controlled Europe).  The Turks fired on Smylie's plane, and he was forced to land.  Before landing, he released all his bombs but one.  Upon making a safe landing behind enemy lines, he was unable to restart his plane and immediately set fire to it.

Meanwhile, Davies saw his comrade's distress.  He landed nearby to help Smylie, and Smylie was only concerned about the the remaining bomb.  Smylie exploded the bomb with a revolver just moments before Davies came to Smylie's rescue.  Just before the Turkish soldiers could overtake them, Davies rescued Smylie and they took off.  They landed safely behind British lines.

For Davies bravery, he was awarded a Victoria Cross on January 1, 1916, and I believe strongly that he deserved it. As I think about what I know about WWI planes, this rescue is amazing.  From what I remember, WWI planes were not very trustworthy.  I seem to remember (from my time in London several years ago) that many people died in WWI planes because the planes did not work right.  To think that this rescue could occur the way it did is an amazing feat in history.

If you would like to learn more, please check out these links:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/british-pilot-makes-heroic-rescue
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10432564
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bell-Davies
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Richard_Bell-Davies
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/List_of_firsts_in_aviation

This Day in History October 13, 2010

I wonder if you remember this story.  I know  I do.  I think the world followed it for some time.  Let's revisit it.

The Chilean miners entered the San Jose gold and copper mine August 5, 2010.  The mine collapsed where they were working, and the 33 miners moved to an emergency shelter that had a few days of rations.  Over the next 17 days, things become desperate.  Suicide and cannibalism were considered.   On August 22, a drill sent by the rescuers broke through the area where the miners were.  The miners sent back a note saying they were fine and signed it the 33.

Rations and medical supplies were passed down through this hole to the miners.  Video cameras were even able to enter the area where the miners were so that they could be seen.  Rescuers from all over the world rallied to figure out how to rescue the miners.  The miners themselves established a routine and jobs for each of them so that they could maintain order while awaiting rescue.

I have to admit that I doubted they would be rescued.  It seemed impossible.  I think many people all over the world felt the same way.  But the rescuers persevered.  They were able to drill and reinforce a rescue shaft to take the men out one by one.

The rescue process began on October 12--I remember watching it live, and maybe many of you did, too. Because the rescue shaft was 2,000 miles high, it took about 15 minutes to rescue each man. A cheering crowd and a worldwide audience greeted each of the miners.  The miners ranged in age from 19-63.   On this date in 2010, the last of the 33 were rescued.  All were in fairly good health, and several were rewarded with various trips.

I know there are all sorts of stories about these miners, and I won't cover these here.  Check out this site for more information.  And more detail, check here.