Captain Smith's Last Error

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If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT).

“Hey, I’m Captain Smith!” I remarked cheerfully.

“You know, you don’t turn out to be the hero in this story!” snapped a young man at my side. I thought his tone carried a touch of disdain.

“Note to self,” I thought. “Don’t mention Captain Smith again.” I next thought, “You know, he may have a point!” Then, I thought (humbly), “Yes. He does have a point.”

My young fellow traveler was in his 20s, and I was well past middle age. Typical generation gap, I suppose. We were together with other guest journalists on a media tour at the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri.

In hindsight, I must confess that my tone might have borne a slight touch of boasting. And I knew I’d said it more than once. Or maybe more than twice. After all, “Captain” is quite a noteworthy title.

The Titanic Museum is an imposing reproduction of the famed ocean liner’s bow staged behind a pool of water and icebergs. Upon entering the museum, each guest is given a small card with the name and brief bio of one passenger who boarded the luxury seacraft for its trumpeted maiden and disastrous final voyage.

Moving through the museum, a tourist will discover fascinating exhibits and displays, some of which create a context for the name on the card one holds, e.g., crew position, wealthy class, hometown, social status, family, occupation, etc.

My card cast me as Captain John Smith. Quite a noteworthy title implying power, position, and more. Yes, Captain Smith is the main character in this riveting, real-life tragedy that took the Titanic to the bottom of the ocean.

Back Story

Edward John Smith was born in 1850 in Hanley, Staffordshire, England. He quit school at about age 12, and in his teens, he cast his lot on the open seas. He worked his way up through the ranks, earning a reputation of respect and trust. The Titanic set sail from Staffordshire, England, on April 10, 1912. John Smith was anointed captain of the White Star Line’s highly touted luxury liner.

Around 6:00 a.m. on April 14 came the first warning of ice ahead. The captain posted it on the bridge, the command center for navigation and communication. But there seemed to be no need for concern or high alert.

One source, biography.com, reports that Smith then led a “religious” service for first-class passengers. By early afternoon, a second warning arrived, but it was not posted for the crew’s information until about 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, Captain Smith attended a private party hosted by a wealthy couple. Soon after the party, he retired for the night. It wasn’t long before two more warnings had come in, but operators were reportedly swamped with messages for passengers and did not react.

Shortly before midnight, a crew member spotted an ominous iceberg in their path. The crew was unable to move the ship out of the path, and the Titanic crashed into the iceberg, puncturing holes that allowed water to begin rushing inside.

Captain Smith awakened to news that the ship was sinking. Just after 2:00 a.m. on April 15, the vessel disappeared beneath the waves. When the crew member first spotted the iceberg, it was simply too late for escape.

Debate may never end about whether the Titanic could have been saved. The first warning arrived almost 18 hours before the imminent collision. Yet it appears that absolutely no precautions were taken.

The estimated number of passengers varies, but 2,007 is a frequent number cited. More than 1,500 passengers sank with the ship.

Forward March

My research did not locate any insight into the captain’s faith or lack thereof. But his response to the ice warnings suggests that he must have bought into the belief that the Titanic was unsinkable. However, stories from that era reveal that the word was often used to boast of advances being made in shipbuilding.

Not surprisingly, a number of narratives have been offered as to the details of how Smith’s life ended. One declared he was seen swimming out to deliver a baby into a lifeboat, himself then sinking into the deep. Another insisted that he shot himself. However, most credible reports agree that he fulfilled the maritime tradition of simply going down with his ship.

Captain Edward John Smith’s faith beliefs aside, his experience quickly points me to check the condition of my own faith and recall Paul’s admonition to the immature believers in Corinth: “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT).

Too many times I’ve been in that boat. Has anyone else ever boarded that ship?

I grow complacent or convince myself I’m standing strong, sailing on! That is, until I stumble and fall or plunge under the waters. I’m grateful for a God who sent His Son to rescue me from drowning in my weaknesses and sins to give me another chance.

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