By 01:20, the seriousness of the situation was now apparent to the passengers above decks, who began saying their goodbyes, with husbands escorting their wives and children to the lifeboats. Distress flares were fired every few minutes to attract the attention of any ships nearby and the radio operators repeatedly sent the distress signal CQD. Radio operator Harold Bride suggested to his colleague Jack Phillips that he should use the new SOS signal, as it "may be your last chance to send it". The two radio operators contacted other ships to ask for assistance. Several responded, of which was the closest, at away. She was a much slower vessel than "Titanic" and, even driven at her maximum speed of , would have taken four hours to reach the sinking ship. Another to respond was SS "Mount Temple", which set a course and headed for "Titanic" position but was stopped en route by pack ice.