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The maiden voyage of the Titanic was to be Smith's last journey on the clock of the White Star Line. He was planning to retire after the Titanic's maiden voyage. He began his career with the White Star Line in 1880 as the fourth officer of the White Star Liner, the Celtic. Seven years later, he held the title of the captain of another White Star Liner, the Republic. From that point on, he commanded seventeen other White Star Liners. In 1907, Smith gave a statement to the New York Press. . .
"When anyone asks me how I can best describe my experiences of nearly forty years at sea, I merely say "uneventful". I have never been in an accident of any sort worth speaking about. I never saw a wreck and have never been wrecked, nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster of any sort."
Thomas Andrews was the Titanic's designer and the managing director of Harland and Wolff. He had overseen Titanic's construction from when the keel was laid until she was fitted out. He had gone on the Maiden Voyage of the Titanic to make inspect certain areas of the ship. Andrews was the first to see the water pouring in from the gashes in Titanic's starboard side. He was last seen in the first class lounge staring at the fire place in a state of shock just minutes before Titanic went down.