Radio City: Titanic Marconi Wireless Room replica at Birthplace of Radio

A retired lorry driver who spent four years painstakingly recreating a stunning replica of the Titanic's wireless room, displayed it in the world's first wireless factory where the original SOS equipment was manufactured.

Ted Sinclair put his splendid replica on show during Spring 2016 at what was Marconi's Hall Street Works (1898-1912) during its part conversion into apartments.

The iconic White Star liner plunged to the bottom of the North Atlantic after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage on April 14, 1912, resulting in the loss of 1,502 passengers and crew - but thanks to the wonder of wireless made at Hall Street by unsung men and women workers just over 700 souls were saved.

The Marconi wireless room, which was used to send distress signals during the tragedy, is on show to the public until the end of May 2016.

Mr Sinclair, 71, embarked on a labour of love to produce the early 20th century maritime communications centre.

The Titanic enthusiast said: 'It has been a real labour of love - where possible I have used original pieces from the time.'

At the time of the catastrophe the cutting edge equipment in the wireless room, which sent Marconigrams, was state-of-the-art and was mostly made from wood or brass.

Mr Sinclair's faithful display was inspired by a photograph taken by first class passenger the Rev Frank Browne who got on at Southampton before disembarking at Queenstown, Ireland, now called Cobh and took pictures around the ship, including the wireless room at 10.10am, on April 12.

Senior ship radio operator Jack Phillips, 25, and Harold Bride, 22, the junior radio operator, desperately sent out SOS pleas for help from the wireless room as Titanic went down..

#Story adapted from original Daily Mail article written by Anna Edwards and published 14 August 2012.

The worlds first Wireless and Telegraphy factory at Marconi's Hall Street works, hailed as the ‘birthplace of radio' , is featuring a unique exhibition which highlights the part played by these unsung heroes.

Although MSW is staging an exhibition, its aim has never been to open a Marconi Museum, but to promote the setting up of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) Clubs in the Birthplace of Radio to encourage young people to become future Marconi's and even rocket scientists!

To celebrate the history and legacy of Marconi and the Marconi Company in Chelmsford, the commemorative event was hosted between March and May 2016 in the Grade II listed building prior to its conversion into residential and commercial units.

This Exhibition was organised by the Marconi Heritage Group in affiliation with the Chelmsford Civic Society, at the request of the developers MAC Design and Build Ltd to allow the public access to the significant industrial heritage of the building.

Archival material from a variety of sources was showcased, in many cases for the first time. Contributors include The International Marconi Museum in Bologna, The Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, the Essex Record Office, Chelmsford Museums and several private collections.

Local families with their own personal collections of Marconi-related memorabilia was also contributed.

It was a major opportunity to share the Marconi legacy, and showcase the evidence for the claim of Chelmsford City's entry signs: "Birthplace of Radio".

Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society was proud to support Marconi Science WorX (MSW) and Chelmsford Civic Society in collaboration with BBC Essex which only exists thanks to the great man's pioneering work at Hall Street.

MSW's main aim is not to open another Marconi Museum, but promote after-school STEM clubs to encourage young people maybe to become rocket scientists or the next Marconi.

A series of talks and displays were organised including this selection:

Fri 14/Saty 15 May: Come and make a radio! Years 6-9 (10-14) Three sessions on each day at 10am 12 noon and 2pm £5 each, to book a place see below. Build your own wireless in the world's first wireless factory.

Fri 13 May: 7.15pm The exciting story of offshore radio and Radio Caroline the true story of the boat that rocked with Cap'n Ray Clark.

Fri 20 May: 7.15pm A brief history of Ada Lovelace, her work with Charles Babbage and her influence in the creation of world's first computer and how she effected the world we know today and inspired women in all fields of technology.

Sun May 22: 3pm Marconi Guided Walk from Hall Street to New Street via the City with guide Alan recounting history from 1850 to 1950.