Titanic
Captain E.J. Smith - Personality, Reputation and Retirement
Studio portrait of E. J. Smith taken in New York in
(8ins. x 6ins.) showing Smith without his
uniform or cap. (Click to enlarge)
Due to the legendary status that Captain Smith has attained, it is frequently difficult to ascertain exactly who he was - his personality, character and reputation. It is only through those who knew him that we can gain some insight into the man behind the uniform.
According to The Examiner of Friday 26th April , they had the following description:
"Captain Smith was an ideal sort of skipper," said one officer who had served under the commodore of the fleet for over a year whilst the latter was in charge of the Adriatic. "He was a fine looking chap," the officer continued, "standing well over six feet in height, and with the carriage and bearing of a man of only half his sixty odd years. Distinction and a somewhat patriarchal demeanour were conferred upon him by his carefully-trimmed white beard. Captain Smith by reason of his sociability was a great man amongst the passengers. He was very well read, had a great knowledge of the world, and was
Edward J. Smith
()
Who Was Edward J. Smith?
Captain Edward J. Smith, captain of the luxury vessel Titanic, played a role in one of the most famous disasters at sea in history when it sank in
A Sailor's Life
Edward J. Smith was born on January 27, , in Hanley, Staffordshire, England. The son of a potter and later a grocer, he attended a school in Etruria, which was supported by the Wedgwood pottery works. Smith stopped going to school around the age of Beginning his life on the sea as a teenager, he signed on to the crew of the Senator Weber in
For years, Smith rose up the ranks and qualifications, earning certificates as a second mate in , a first mate in , and a master in The first vessel he commanded was the Lizzie Fennell, a 1,ton ship that moved goods to and from South America. Smith made the leap to passenger vessels in when he went to work for the White Star Line. By , he was the first officer of the Republic. Two years later, Smith married Eleanor Pennington. The couple welcomed their only child, Helen, in
Eight years later, Smith took his first command of a passenger ship, the Baltic. He went on to serve as the captain of several other vessels in
Edward John Smith was born on January 27, in the town of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. His parents were Edward Smith, a potter, and Catherine Hancock née Marsh, who married in in Wolstanton. His parents later owned a shop. Smith attended the Etruria British School until the age of 13 when he went to Liverpool to begin a seafaring career. He apprenticed with Gibson & Co., Liverpool.
On July 12, , Smith married Sarah Eleanor Pennington. Two years later, they had a daughter Helen Melville Smith. The family lived in an imposing red brick, twin-gabled house, named "Woodhead", on Winn Road, Portswood, Southampton. According to his daughter, Captain Smith loved cigars and the smoke from them. He wouldn't let anyone into his study while he was smoking because he didn't want the ring of smoke to be disturbed.
Smith joined the White Star Line in March as the Fourth Officer of the Celtic. He served aboard the company's liners to Australia and to New York, where he quickly rose in stature. In , Smith received his first White Star command, the SS Republic. In , Smith earned his Extra Master's Certificate and joined the Royal Naval Reserve (thus enabling him to append his n
Titanic
Sunday January 27th
Edward John Smith born to Edward Smith (–) and Catherine (formerly Hancock, née Marsh, –) in Hanley, Staffordshire, England
8th March
Edward John Smith's birth is officially registered.
First job at the Etruria Forge aged 15, operating a Nasmyth steam hammer.
5th of February
At the age of 17, with his parents' consent, he travels to Liverpool and signs onto the Senator Weber as an ordinary sailor.
January
Smith promoted to Third Mate by his stepbrother Joseph Smith, the Captain of the Senator Weber, after 14 men desert ship at San Francisco.
Serves aboard the Amoy as an able seaman
August 12
In Liverpool, receives his first qualification: Second Mate’s Certificate
Record, as second mate,
New Orleans run on the N. Mosher
March
Passes First Mate certification
July
Serves aboard the Arzilla, bound for Valparaiso, Chile, and Callao, Peru.
May 26
In Liverpool, Smith passes his Master's Certificate (#)
Smith, at the age of 25, receives his first command as capta
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