Jack Phillips. John George 'Jack' Phillips Wireless Operator on Titanic. Jack Philips was born in Farncombe, Surrey, on 11th April 1887. Phillips was educated locally and, after learning telegraphy, at a post office, he began working for the Marconi company. He was serving as senior wireless operator on board Titanic, which sank on 15th April 1912. As Titanic was sinking, Phillips worked tirelessly to send wireless messages to nearby ships for help. While Phillips has borne criticism for having told the radio operator of the Californian 'Shut up! I am busy, I am working Cape Race!' when interrupted on-air by his counterpart telling him that his ship was surrounded by ice, similar warning messages earlier that day had been delivered to the captain and a lookout had been posted. He did not survive. Titanic was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast Ireland during 1910 - 1911, and sank after striking an iceberg off the coast of New Foundland during her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York, USA, with the loss of 1,522 passengers and crew.