The Hawke incident was a financial disaster for White Star, and the out-of-service time for the big liner made matters worse. Captain Smith had been on the bridge during the events. At the resultant inquiry, the Royal Navy blamed Olympic, finding that her massive size generated a suction that pulled Hawke into her side. Although the collision left two of Olympic 's compartments filled and one of her propeller shafts twisted, she was able to limp back to Southampton. On 20 September 1911, Olympic 's first major mishap occurred during a collision with a British warship, HMS Hawke, in which the warship lost her prow. Docking at Pier 59 under the command of Captain Smith with the assistance of a harbour pilot, Olympic was being assisted by twelve tugs when one got caught in the backwash of Olympic, spun around, collided with the bigger ship, and for a moment was trapped under Olympic's stern, finally managing to work free and limp to the docks. The maiden voyage from Southampton to New York was successfully concluded on 21 June 1911, but as the ship was docking in New York harbour, a small incident took place. Īs one of the world's most experienced sea captains, Smith was called upon to take first command of the lead ship in a new class of ocean liners, the Olympic – again, the largest vessel in the world at that time. During his command of Adriatic, Smith received the long service Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve (RD). Once again, the maiden voyage went without incident. After three years with Baltic, Smith was given his second new "big ship," the Adriatic. Her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York, sailing 29 June 1904, went without incident. In 1904, he was given command of what was then the largest ship in the world, the Baltic. From 1904 on, Smith commanded the White Star Line's newest ships on their maiden voyages. Smith even became known as the "Millionaires' Captain". As he rose in seniority, he gained a following amongst passengers with some sailing the Atlantic only on a ship he captained. Smith made two trips to South Africa, both without incident, and in 1903, for his service, King Edward VII awarded him the Transport Medal, showing the "South Africa" clasp. 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. Smith joined the Royal Naval Reserve, receiving a commission as a Lieutenant, which entitled him to add the letters "RNR" after his name. Smith failed his first navigation exam, but on the next attempt in the following week he passed, and in February 1888, Smith earned his Extra Master's Certificate. 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. Career Early commandsĮdward Smith joined the White Star Line in March 1880 as the Fourth Officer of SS Celtic. 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. 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. He was the captain of RMS Titanic, and perished when the ship sank on her maiden voyage.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. He served as master of numerous White Star Line vessels. Smith received the honorific rank of commodore, as the White Star Line's most senior captain, and also held the rank of Commander on the retired list of the Royal Navy Reserve.Įdward John Smith RD RNR (27 January 1850 – 15 April 1912) was a British mercantile marine officer.
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