I wonder if SOS was sent or the more common CQD was sent? From what I understand the SOS was a German distress code and was not in common usage in 1909. Even the Titanic sinking in 1912 sent CQD and then also tried the SOS signal. After the board of inquiry over the Titanic sinking, from what I have read, it was decided to use the SOS signal for everyone, not just German flagged vessels.