![]() When the Boer War started in 1899, Majestic was called upon to transport troops to Cape Colony. Smith was Majestic's captain for nine years commencing in 1895. ![]() Murdoch, Joseph Evans, David Alexander, and Edward Smith aboard Olympic Smith retired from the RNR in 1905 with the rank of Commander. His ships had the distinction of being able to fly the Blue Ensign of the RNR British merchant vessels generally flew the Red Ensign. This meant that in a time of war he could be called upon to serve in the Royal Navy. In 1888, Smith earned his Extra Master's Certificate and joined the Royal Naval Reserve, receiving a commission as a Lieutenant, which entitled him to add the letters "RNR" after his name. In 1887, he received his first White Star command, the Republic. He served aboard the company's liners to Australia and to New York City, where he quickly rose in status. When the White Star line transferred its transatlantic port from Liverpool to Southampton in 1907 the family moved to a red brick, twin-gabled house, named "Woodhead", on Winn Road, Highfield, Southampton, Hampshire.Įdward Smith joined the White Star Line in March 1880 as the Fourth Officer of SS Celtic. Their daughter, Helen Melville Smith, was born in Waterloo, Liverpool on 2 April 1898. On 13 January 1887, Smith married Sarah Eleanor Pennington at St Oswald's Church, Winwick, Lancashire. He began his apprenticeship on Senator Weber, owned by A Gibson & Co. In 1867, aged 17 he went to Liverpool in the footsteps of his half-brother Joseph Hancock, a captain on a sailing ship. Smith attended the Etruria British School until the age of 13 when he left and operated a steam hammer at the Etruria Forge. Įdward John Smith was born on 27 January 1850 on Well Street, Hanley, Staffordshire, England to Edward Smith, a potter, and Catherine Hancock, born Marsh, who married on 2 August 1841 in Shelton, Staffordshire. For his stoicism and fortitude in the face of adversity, Smith became an icon of British " stiff upper lip" spirit and discipline. In 1912, he was the captain of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank on 15 April 1912 over 1,500 perished in the sinking, including Smith, who went down with the ship. He successfully commanded the Baltic, Adriatic and the Olympic. In 1904, Smith became the commodore of the White Star Line and was responsible for controlling its flagships. He served as commanding officer of numerous White Star Line vessels, including the Majestic (which he commanded for nine years) and attracted a strong and loyal following amongst passengers. He quickly rose through the ranks and graduated in 1887. ![]() After earning his master's ticket, he entered the service of the White Star Line, a prestigious British company. Raised in a working class environment, he left school early to join the merchant navy and the Royal Naval Reserve. He was the captain of the RMS Titanic, and perished when the ship sank on its maiden voyage. He served as master of numerous White Star Line vessels. He also held the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy Reserve.Įdward John Smith RD RNR (27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was a British naval officer. ![]() Smith received the honorific rank of commodore, as the White Star Line's most senior captain.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |