Statues - Hither & Thither

Commander Edward John Smith RD RNR (1850-1912)
Captain of the White Star liner "Titanic"

Captain Smith was the officer in command of RMS Titanic. He died on 15 April
1912 alongside more than 1,500 people when his ship sank after striking an
iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.
The 7'8" (2.34 m) statue is made of bronze and set on a plinth of Cornish granite.
It was sculpted by Lady Kathleen Scott - the widow of Scott of the Antarctic.
Although Captain Smith was born in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Lichfield was considered
a more accessible place for the statue. The location may also have been
chosen because Lichfield was the cathedral city of the diocese that covered Hanley.
The statue was unveiled at Beacon park on 29 July 1914 by Captain Smith's daughter,
Helen Melville Smith, in front of many distinguished guests, including Lady Scott.
The 'Be British" inscription on the statue was reported one of the last phrases
Captain Smith was heard to speak.

Lichfield District Council 2011