RMS Slavonia Aground at the Azores, 1909
This image depicts the Cunard liner RMS Slavonia stranded on the rocky coast of the Azores in 1909. Built in 1902, the vessel was en route from Cape Verde to Southampton when she struck a submerged reef in foggy conditions.
The grounding triggered one of the first recorded uses of the SOS wireless distress signal, summoning nearby ships to assist. Thanks to quick action by rescuers, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated, marking a pioneering moment in maritime safety.
The wreck of Slavonia remains an iconic example of early 20th‑century passenger steamship travel and the growing importance of wireless communication at sea.
