Author Dan E. Parkes Reveals New Evidence Restoring Captain Edward John Smith’s Reputation Following Titanic Tragedy in the Atlantic Ocean

Millions have seen Captain Edward John Smith’s dramatic death as a hero in James Cameron’s Titanic. But, was that really the truth?

The Film vs. Reality: Was Captain Smith Really a Hero?

In the iconic 1997 film, we see Captain Smith bravely at the helm as the Titanic sinks into the icy waters of the Atlantic.

The film depicts his last moments struggling with instruments before water bursts into the wheelhouse.

However, this cinematic portrayal differs drastically from what was reported just days after the disaster in 1912.

The Startling Rumors and Scandal Surrounding Captain Smith’s Death

Immediately following the Titanic disaster, reports began circulating that Captain Smith had died by suicide.

The Los Angeles Express claimed on April 18, 1912, that Smith shot himself, and the Daily Mirror echoed this the following day, stating, “Captain Smith Shoots Himself on the Bridge.”

Survivors and media outlets alike fed into these rumors, with some citing reports of Smith drinking and ignoring ice warnings.

For his widow Eleanor and their daughter Mel, these stories added insult to the unbearable grief they were already facing.

The Heroic Version: Captain Smith Died in the Water

Now, in a new book titled Titanic Legacy: The Captain, The Daughter, and The Spy, author Dan E. Parkes sets the record straight.

Parkes insists that Smith did not take his life, but rather perished in the freezing waters alongside hundreds of others.

Parkes, who spent years researching the facts, argues that many of the suicide stories were based on rumors and unreliable witnesses.

One of the more sensational claims came from a man in Baltimore who insisted Smith survived and was living in disguise.

This claim was debunked, and other bizarre reports followed, including one from Life magazine about a man in Ohio claiming to be the captain.

The Case Against the Speeding Titanic and Smith’s Conduct

Parkes dismisses the claim that Smith was pushing the Titanic too fast on its maiden voyage.

He also debunks the idea that Smith was drunk or incapacitated when the ship sank.

According to Parkes, the captain’s actions and decisions during the disaster were neither reckless nor unprofessional.

Eyewitness Accounts: Did Smith Really Commit Suicide?

Though many survivors reported hearing gunshots and speculated that Smith had shot himself, Parkes argues that these accounts were likely based on confusion and trauma.

In fact, some survivors, such as banker Robert Williams Daniel, vividly recalled seeing Captain Smith on the bridge, still standing firm as the Titanic sank beneath him.

Frederick Dent Ray, a first-class steward, confirmed that Smith’s personal steward was last seen standing by the captain on the bridge.

Other survivors, like Frederick Hoyt and Isaac Maynard, described encountering Smith on deck, showing no signs of panic but rather acting calmly in the face of disaster.

Smith’s Heroic Actions as the Ship Went Down

A number of survivors have claimed that Captain Smith displayed incredible heroism in his final moments.

One of these accounts, from Frederick Harris, a fireman aboard the Titanic, described how he saw the captain jump into the water to save a child, placing the infant on a lifeboat before disappearing into the icy depths.

In another account, George Brereton, a gambler who was aboard the Titanic under an alias, stated that he saw Smith struggle toward the ship’s sinking wreck, determined to go down with it.

Brereton claimed Smith rescued an infant from the water before disappearing, never to be seen again.

A Legacy of Heroism, Not Disgrace

Parkes argues that these accounts align with the character of Captain Smith, who had earned the respect of both passengers and crew.

Known as “Millionaire’s Captain” due to his reputation for professionalism, it seems entirely in line with Smith’s character to have acted heroically in the face of disaster.

In addition to these accounts, Parkes also highlights a chilling premonition Smith reportedly had regarding the Titanic’s fate.

According to Ada Murdoch, whose husband was the Titanic’s first officer, Smith once remarked that if the world’s largest liner were to sink, he would go down with it.

This statement, seemingly prophetic, aligns with the captain’s noble final actions.

Clearing Captain Smith’s Name: A Hero’s True Legacy

Dan E. Parkes’s research sheds new light on the legacy of Captain Smith.

Rather than a cowardly man who ended his life in disgrace, the evidence paints a picture of a dedicated captain who faced unimaginable circumstances with courage and honor.

The tragic tale of the Titanic is not just about the ship’s sinking, but also about the men and women who acted heroically, even in the darkest of times.

In this new light, Captain Smith’s reputation is restored, and his heroism is rightfully acknowledged, ensuring his legacy will be remembered as one of honor and bravery, rather than scandal and shame.