Captain Edward Smith (1850-1912) Be British!

Captain Edward John Smith, RD RNR, was born on January 27, 1850, in Hanley, Staffordshire, England, and died on April 15, 1912, in the North Atlantic Ocean. He was a prominent British sea captain and naval officer who began his career with the White Star Line in 1880 and later captained several of its vessels. During the Second Boer War, he served in the Royal Naval Reserve, transporting British troops to the Cape Colony.
Smith was well-respected by both crew and passengers, earning the nickname "Millionaire's Captain." He advanced to senior captain at White Star and, in April 1912, commanded the Titanic on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.
Days into the journey, the Titanic received iceberg warnings, prompting Smith to alter the ship's course without reducing speed. On April 14, the ship struck an iceberg while he was away from the bridge. After assessing the damage with Thomas Andrews, the Titanic’s designer, it was deemed catastrophic. The ship sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, resulting in approximately 1,500 fatalities, with Smith last seen on the bridge. His selflessness and that of his officers helped mitigate the loss of life, as he urged his crew to "Be British," which became their rallying cry.
John Johnson, a crew member involved in the lifeboat efforts, recounted the events leading to the collision, highlighting the calm demeanor of officers and passengers as they faced their fate and the emotional farewells exchanged.
"When the crash occurred," he noted, "the Titanic was traveling at 23 knots. The damage was catastrophic, yet there was no panic; it was eerily quiet. Many chose not to board the lifeboats, exemplified by Mrs. Isidor Straus, who refused to leave her husband."
"When the order to lower the lifeboats was given, crew members stepped forward. Captain Smith's voice rang out through the megaphone, urging, 'Be British, my men.' Every man heeded his command, facing death with dignity, understanding the hopelessness of their situation. As the strong English seamen helped women and children into the lifeboats, they remained steadfast, unaware that Captain Smith's words had sealed their fate."