SOS

AnSOS is an oldEarthdistress signal.Morse code for SOS "···­­­ −−− ···".

It stood for Save Our Ship, and was transmitted when a seagoing vessel was in dire need of help. OnEarth in the19th century, the nearest ship was legally obligated to render assistance. (TOSnovel:The Fearful Summons)

The abbreviation was a mnemonic intended to recall three quick bursts, three slower bursts, then three more quick bursts. (NFnovel:Blind Man's Bluff)

The system continued to be used in some form into the24th century.

History[]

In2266, a continuous SOS was picked up by theUSSEnterprise fromMiri's homeworld. (TOSepisode &Star Trek 1novelization:Miri)

In the2260s, a missingsurvey ship's continuous SOS was picked up byNyota Uhura aboard theUSSEnterprise along with its call sign. Unfortunately the vessel had crashed onTaunus and the crew died before they could be rescued. (TOScomic: "The Aging World")

In the 2260s, theJanvar Fivespaceprobe transmitted an SOS. (TOScomic: "The Mindless Ones")

Spock was surprised when theEnterprise picked up an SOS fromFomalhaut V. The planet was uninhabited according tocomputer records, and Morse Code was rarely used in the 2260s. Uhura adjusted theviewscreen to the source of the transmission, which showeddinosaurs rampaging through acity. (TOSnovella:The Truth Machine)

In2267, theUSSPathfinder transmitted an SOS after being ambushed by threeKlingon battlecruisers near the border of thePerseus Arm. (TOScomic: "What Fools These Mortals Be..")

Also in2267, theSS Botany Bay transmitted an SOS. When answered, the onboardcomputer switched to signaling the vessel's name. (TOS -Star Trek 2novelization:Space Seed)

In2370,CaptainDawson of theUSSPuyallup instructed his crew to send an SOS toDeep Space 9 when his ship came under attack. (DS9novel:Devil in the Sky)

It is quite possible SOS was being used as a generic term for a more contemporary distress call system used in the 24th century.

In2371, theUSSVoyager picked up an SOS call fromAmelia Earhart's plane in theDelta Quadrant. (VOYepisode: "The 37's")

Appendices[]

References[]

• TOSepisode &Star Trek 1novelization:Miri
• TOS -Star Trek 2novelization:Space Seed
• VOYepisode: "The 37's"
• TOSnovel:The Fearful Summons
• TOSnovella:The Truth Machine
• TOScomic: "The Aging World"
• TOScomic: "The Mindless Ones"
• TOScomic: "What Fools These Mortals Be.."
• DS9novel:Devil in the Sky
• NFnovel:Blind Man's Bluff

External links[]

• SOS article atMemory Alpha, the wiki for canonStar Trek.
• SOS article atWikipedia, the free encyclopedia.