New Titanic book

The portrayal of Captain Edward John Smith in the film Titanic shows him dying heroically at the ship’s wheel as water crashes through the windows. However, the true events surrounding his death remain unclear and have been surrounded by rumors. Shortly after the Titanic’s sinking in 1912, several newspapers claimed Smith shot himself, while others accused him of drinking, ignoring iceberg warnings, and speeding recklessly. These rumors contradict the maritime tradition of captains going down with their ships and were later challenged by author Dan E. Parkes in his book Titanic Legacy: The Captain, The Daughter and The Spy.

Parkes argues that these claims were false and likely fueled by panic and misinformation. Using survivor testimonies, he describes Smith as a heroic figure during the tragedy. Some witnesses claimed to have seen Smith helping passengers and remaining on the bridge until the ship went under. One cook even stated he saw Smith swimming and refusing to be rescued, urging others to save themselves. Others, including a steward and a wealthy passenger, reported seeing him on deck in his final moments. Despite speculation over the years—even false reports of Smith surviving—Parkes concludes that Captain Smith died a hero, fulfilling his duty to the end.