Tag Archives: Walter Lord

Commander John Edward Smith: Captain R.M.S. Titanic


Statue of Captain Edward Smith in Beacon Park,...

Statue of Captain Edward Smith in Beacon Park, Lichfield (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sunday’s article, Titanic: The HMS Hawke, The SS New York, & Captain Smith, will introduce you to a side of Captain Smith no one has seen for 100 years.

Walter Lord said that “… ships had gotten too big for Captain Smith.” The celebrated Titanic author said that Captain Smith wandered away in a daze after the disaster, and described Captain Smith as indecisive.

One blogger on wordpress wrote such a tirade on Captain Smith it hurt my eyes just reading it.

For 100 years Captain Smith has been maligned. Now you will discover the rest of Captain Smith’s story, and you will discover why so many have gotten Captain Smith wrong.

The evidence has been right in front of our eyes for 100 years. It needed a mariner and researcher to identify the clues and point them out for the rest of the world to see.

Nothing surmised or made up, just connecting the dots of over looked and seemingly meaningless actions, misunderstood evidence, and testimony.

Authors and researchers describe Captain Smith as a man admired and respected by subordinates, peers, seniors, and passengers alike. They describe how Captain Smith never raised his voice with subordinates, and yet was always, willingly, and enthusiastically obeyed by juniors. Then they proceed to describe him as outdated and indecisive during the disaster.

There is a reason professional mariners admired, respected, and enthusiastically followed Captain Smith; and this Sunday’s article will reveal those reason’s to you.

Edward J. Smith, captain of the Titanic

Edward J. Smith, captain of the Titanic (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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The Ides of March 2012


15 Mar 2012: Ides comes from the Latin Idus, this was a commonly used on the Roman calendar, it meant “half-division.” On this Ides of March 2012, we are half way through the planned series of articles based on my upcoming new Titanic book, “Titanic: The Journey Begins.”

As always happens with the best of plans, there have been modifications along the way (reader input). My intention has always been to “finish” Titanic and move on. I never wanted to write a second book on Titanic, but those who knew of and saw my private research insisted this was a story I had to tell.

My research into the Titanic disaster has always been influenced by my experiences as a mariner and a belief that the crew’s story was not understood properly. All of us have our own methodology based on our background and experiences. The actions of a police officer, school teacher, or lawyer may seem, at times, strange to a sailor. I have felt that some of the actions of the crew were mis-understood for this reason. I do believe that everyone has something to add to the story of the Titanic. My friends and associates believed that it was time for someone who has sailed the waters Titanic sailed to tell the crews story, with my background and the research I have done, they thought I should do it.

I have been announcing the topics of future articles and wanted to take this Ides of March, at the “half division” of this series of articles to announce the topic of the last article in this series (though I have come to realize lately that Titanic will always have a place on my web site).

Sunday 15 April 2012 will be the date for “Titanic: HMS Hawke, SS New York & Captain Smith.” We know what Captain Smith did wrong, but do you know what he did right? I will also answer Walter Lord‘s question “Had ships gotten too big for Captain Smith”

So, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, in the middle of the month, in the middle of our series … here’s to a great second half and may you all have a great day.

British Edgar class protected cruiser HMS HAWKE.

HMS Hawke, Image via Wikipedia

English: Photographs of the HMS Hawke and the ...

RMS Olympic, HMS Hawke collision, Image via Wikipedia

English: The RMS Titanic in Southampton after ...

SS New York (center) & RMS Titanic almost collide, Image via Wikipedia

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Filed under New, Titanic