What information is there about Captain Edward John Smith?

Answer 1

Captain Edward John Smith [January 27, 1850-April 15, 1912] was born in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England. His was the son of Catherine Marsh Hancock and of Edward Smith. The marriage was his mother's second. His father was a potter at the time of the marriage. But the couple subsequently became shop owners. The Captain's education initially took place in his home town. He was a student at Etruria British School, until the age of 13. With his schooling completed, the Captain relocated to Liverpool. There, he began a seafaring apprenticeshipwith A. Gibson and Company of Liverpool. By the time that he was 30 years ago, the Captain was a 4th Officer with the White Star Line. His ship was the Celtic. He made numerous trips to Australia and to New York. Seven years later, in 1887, he assumed his first command with the White Star Line. His ship was the SS Republic. On July 2nd of that same year, he married Sarah Eleanor Pennington. Their daughter, Helen Melville Smith, was born in 1898, in Waterloo, Lancashire. His wife and daughter lived in a red brick house that had two gables and was named 'Woodhead'. The imposing house was located on Winn Road, in Highfield, Southampton. In 1888, the Captain earned his Extra Master's Certificate. He became a Full Lieutenant with the Royal Naval Reserve. In that capacity, he transported troops during the Boer War. For that service, he was awarded the Transport Medal of safe seamanship by King Edward VII [November 9, 1841-May 6, 1910]. The following year, in 1904, the Captain became White Star Line Commodore over all other captains. He specialized in commanding the newest ships on their maiden voyages. He also specialized in commanding the ships on which millionaires preferred to travel. In this capacity, he became known as the Millionaires' Captain.