Titanic: The Captain of the Titanic

1998

55min

"The Titanic is still news nearly a century after the world’s finest and largest ship struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in April, 1912. The events of that fateful voyage are told through dramatised contemporary accounts. These are enhanced by an extensive interview with survivor Eva Hart MBE, who was a girl of seven at the time. This is not only the story of a great tragedy, but also of Edward John Smith a potter’s son who rose from the backstreets of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, to become the premier sea captain of his day. Don Smith shows us some of Captain Smith’s possessions, handed down through the family. It is also the story of how such a terrible disaster can be turned into something of national pride by the press of the day. Pride in a captain and crew who could uphold the great traditions of the sea captured in Captain Smith’s last call from the bridge of the doomed ship. Be British!."