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TITANIC CAPTAIN

THE LIFE OF EDWARD JOHN SMITH

By G. J. Cooper

Back in print, this popular biography of Commander Edward John Smith is a remarkable example of how a man from a humble background could get far in the world. Born to a working-class family in the land-locked Staffordshire Potteries, he went to sea at seventeen and rose rapidly through the ranks of the merchant navy, serving first in sailing vessels and later in the new steamships of the White Star Line.

By 1912, he was White Star’s senior commander and regarded by many in the shipping world as the “millionaire’s captain.” After being master on the brand new RMS Olympic, Smith was given command of White Star’s latest ocean liner, RMS Titanic, for her maiden voyage. What should have been among the crowning moments of a long and successful career at sea rapidly turned into a nightmare when Titanic struck an iceberg and in a matter of hours took around 1,500 lives with her, including Captain Smith.

G. J. Cooper has been tracing the career of E. J. Smith since 1987. This extensively researched biography is packed full of insight and detail into the life of this legendary captain. Softcover, 256pages, illustrated.