What was used before the SOS code signal? and what year did the SOS code signal come into practice?(telegraphic)

Before "SOS" was first used in 1908, "CQD" was used:
CQ was a calling sign, plus D for Distress.

SOS

TIE
The answer is half correct the year I was looking for was 1906 I think you'll find it was first used in practice 1908 though it was used unofficially before 1906 by a German ship
Did you Know that the CQD code came into use in 1904 replacing several different codes?
and CQD= "Seek you Distress"
Good info link here:
http://fohnix.metronet.com/~nmcewen/arc_current.html
"CQ" was I think the equivalant of what we would call a "Subject line" of an Email?
Contrast this with todays "ICQ" program title :"I Seek You" over 100 years of phonetic code words and NO change!(Still in use)