The film Titanic has captivated audiences for decades, making it a timeless classic. However, questions remain about the accuracy of how certain characters, specifically a pivotal one, are portrayed in their final moments.
As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Rose (played by Kate Winslet) and Jack (portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio), who meet aboard the Titanic after Rose’s near tragic decision to end her life.
They soon fall in love despite Rose’s impending marriage to a wealthy businessman, while Jack remains a struggling artist.
During their romance, the film introduces several characters inspired by real individuals who perished when the RMS Titanic sank in 1912.
One such character is the ship’s captain, Edward John Smith, who, according to the movie, chose to stay aboard as the ship was sinking and took the wheel for the last time before being engulfed by the ocean.
While this makes for a poignant scene, it raises the question: is this depiction true to historical events?
The 1997 blockbuster, directed by James Cameron, showcases his commitment to authenticity, as he conducted thorough research and even visited the Titanic wreck site multiple times.
However, the film does not necessarily adhere strictly to historical facts regarding every character’s fate.
An article in the Los Angeles Express dated April 18, 1912, just a few days after the disaster, claimed: ‘Captain E.J. Smith shot himself’.
The following day, the Daily Mirror echoed this account, stating: ‘Captain Smith Shoots Himself on the Bridge’.
The Daily Mail noted numerous rumors circulating about Captain Smith, including allegations of excessive drinking, reckless speeding, and ignoring iceberg warnings prior to the tragedy.
With the longstanding maritime tradition of captains going down with their ships, the notion that Smith broke this code seems almost defamatory.
Dan E. Parkes’ new book, however, offers a different perspective, proposing that Smith perished in the water alongside 1,495 passengers.
The book, titled Titanic Legacy: The Captain, The Daughter and The Spy, argues against the posthumous rumors surrounding Captain Smith.
Parkes recounts an incident three months after the sinking when a Baltimore resident claimed Smith had survived and was living clandestinely in Maryland.
Later, Life magazine mentioned a destitute man in Ohio professing to be Smith.
Parkes dismisses all allegations against the captain, including those of drinking and recklessness.
Utilizing survivor testimonies, Parkes details Captain Smith’s final moments.
Although some ‘eyewitness accounts… reported an officer’s shooting and suicide,’ Parkes clarifies that the officer was unnamed, and that Captain Smith became a scapegoat for those seeking someone to blame.
Robert Williams Daniel, a 27-year-old banker, recounted seeing ‘Captain Smith on the bridge’ as the vessel went under.
This first-class passenger told the New York Herald that he witnessed the captain being overtaken by water.
‘He died a hero,’ Daniel stated.
Some survivors also recalled Smith staying with his ship, attempting to save a baby during his last moments.
Reports suggest the 62-year-old captain was accompanied by his personal steward, Arthur Paintin.
Frederick Dent Ray, a first-class saloon steward, testified during a US inquiry that Paintin was ‘last seen on the bridge, standing by the captain’.
Frederick Hoyt, another affluent passenger, recounted encountering Smith on his way back to the deck, sharing a drink before jumping overboard.
Isaac Maynard, a 31-year-old cook, testified in New York: “I saw Captain Smith washed from the bridge, and afterwards saw him swimming in the water. He was still fully dressed, with his peak cap on his head.
“One of the men clinging to the raft tried to save him by reaching out a hand, but he would not let him, and called out ‘Look after yourselves, boys.’ I do not know what became of the captain, for I could not see him at the time, but I suppose he sank.”