Smith went to sea as an apprentice at the age of twelve and signed on as a cabin boy on a square-riggid ship. After receiving his certificates, he then joined the White Star Line at the age of twenty-seven. His career had been a triumphant success ever since. As a captain of many ships, Smith's warm personality made him very popular on White Star ships. Some passengers liked him so much they only booked crossings on the ships that he was commanding. It became a tradition for Smith to command all of White Star Line's newest ships on their maiden voyages. Smith's career was remarkable for its near-toal absence of any accidents or incidents. The Titanic's maiden voyage was to be Smith's last ocean crossing as he planned to retire at the age of sixty-two.
Chief Officer Henry Tighe Wilde-
At the age of thirty-eight, Wilde was a tall, broad-shouldered, well built man. Formerly the Chief officer of the Olympic, he had been appointed to the Titanic for it's maiden voyage. Wilde, like Officer Murdoch, only possessed an ordinary certificate
First Officer William McMaster Murdoch-
Murdoch was a thirty-nine year old Scott from Dalbeattie, in Galloway. After serving his apprenticeship in sail and receiving all of his certificates, he joined the White Star Line. He served on the Medic, Runic, Arabic, Adriatic, Oceanic, Olympic, and the Titanic. Murdoch was hoping that in the future he would be offered a command in one of the smaller vessels of the White Star Line.
Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller-
Lightoller was what sailors called a "hard case". As a boy he had sailed under Jock Sutherland, one of the most daring sailors out of Liverpool. He had experienced a fire at sea, had been put on a deserted island, had serves as second mate of three skysail yarders, and had passed for a master at age twenty-three. After joining the White Star Line, Lightoller was appointed to one of the new ships, the Medic, on the Australian run. He later became Second officer of the Oceaning, First of the Majestic, and then First of the Oceanic, before being appointed Second of the Titanic. Lightoller also had an Extra Master's certificate.
Third Officer John Herbert Pitman-
Pitman had served as an officer in a sailing ship before serving ocean liners. He served a year in the Blue Anchor Line, six months in the Shire Line, and five years with the White Star Line.
Fourth Officer Joseph Grove Boxhall-
Boxhall came from a family of North Atlantic sailors. He served in the White Star Line for five years and had an Extra Master's certificate. Because he had acquired a reputation as being an outstanding navigator, Captain Smith gave him the responsibility of keeping the ship's charts up to date. This included positions, weather, and ice reports the Titanic received.
Fifth Officer Harold Godfrey Lowe-
At the age of fourteen, Lowe ran away to sea and served first in schooners, after his father wanted to apprentice him in the usual way. Lowe then went from schooners to square-riggid ships, received all of his certificates, spent five years on the West African coast, and in 1911 joined the White Star Line. The Titanic's maiden voyage was Lowe's first experience with North Atlantic crossings.
Sixth Officer James Pell Moody-
Moody had gone from Conway to sailing ships, to the Oceanic, and then to the Titanic.
Senior Wireless Operator John George (Jack) Phillips-
Phillips was a twenty-five year old man from Farncombe, near Godalming in Surrey. He had been with the British Marconi for six years. He graduated the top of his class at the Marconi training school in Liverpool. Phillips had worked on the Teutonic, Lusitania, Mauretania, Campania, and the Oceanic. He had also spent three years at the transmitting station in Cliffden, Ireland.
Junior Wireless Operator Harold Sidney Bride-
This twenty-two year old was from Bromley, Kent. Bride had only been with Marconi about a year and a half, with Bride's first assignment being the Haverford in the summer of 1911. He then served short stints on the Lusitania, Lafranc, and the Anselm.
*Titanic's Band*
Band Master Wallace Henry Hartley-
This thirty-three year old violinist had recently been the band master on the Cunard Line's Mauretania, but in 1912 the White Star Line put him on the Titanic.
First Violinist John Law Hume
Pianist Theodore Ronald Brailey
Pianist Percy Cornelius Taylor
Cellist Roger Marie Bricoux
Cellist John Wesley Woodward
Viola Player George Alexander Krins
Bass-Viol Player Fred Clarke
Thomas Andrews(Titanic's Shipbuilder)-
At the age of sixteen, Andrews became an apprentice at the shipyard, Harland and Wolff. Andrews grew into a six-foot, broad shouldered, and handsome young man, after his apprenticeship had passed. He gained leadership that all the workmen and board memebers admired. He loved his work, his men, and the ships he built. Andrews was what you would call a "perfectionist" mostly because he oversaw everything on his ships, no matter how small. At the age of forty-nine he had a wife, Helen, and a daughter, Elizabeth,
Joseph Bruce Ismay(White Star Line Chairman)-
Born in 1862, Ismay was educated at the Elstree and Harrow, two of the best prep schools in England. He had spent a year as a pupil at the finishing school of Dinard in France, even though he had never received an university degree. After a year long tour that was custom for young men of his station, he went to work for the White Star Line. Ismay became a six-foot, handsome, young man, following his father's footsteps willingly.
Hugh Walter McElroy(Purser)-
This Irish Catholic was a well-built man who, like Captain Smith, was so popluar with the passengers that they only traveled on crossings he was assigned to. McElroy was the kind of person who knew everyone and everything.
