Captain Smith?

Question

Could anyone tell me why Captain Smith`s statue (Captain of the Titanic) was built in Lichfield, instead of in Hanley, where he was born please?

Answer 1

The memorial can be found in Beacon Park, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. Many thanks to Christine Woskett for taking this picture for me, and to Brian Ticehurst for supplying the background information. Brian has published a paper giving details on over 800 Titanic Memorials. If you would like a copy, send £4.50 (Sterling) to

Brian J. Ticehurst,
1 Mardon Close,
Swaythling,
Southampton
SO18 2HP
England

Answer 2

Good question. There seem to be different opinions

A Lichfield tourism site says that "after his death on board the Titanic in 1912, funds were raised to build a statue in memorial to him in Beacon Park, Lichfield as the centre of the diocese to which he belonged".

Another site describing Beacon Park, where the memorial stands, says "This is the memorial statue to Captain Smith of Titanic fame, who came not from Lichfield but from Stafford. Apparently the story goes that Stafford had the statue made but refused to errect it when he managed to sink the Titanic, so Lichfield took him on board. Since then Stafford wanted him back - but Lichfield were having none of it. It's only a story and the truth is lost somewhere, but it is a good tale."

However, the most authoritative site I found includes information from the original memorial dedication. It says:

"A committee of influential people was formed in 1913 with the object of arranging a fitting memorial to Commander Edward John Smith, R.D, R.N.R., in a form that would appeal to his many friends and acquaintances who wished to have the opportunity of joining in a tribute to his career. Lichfield was the place which fulfilled most of his qualifications required for a monument to this Staffordshire man. The claims of the city were thus set forth -- being about half-way between Liverpool and London would be convenient alike to British and American subscribers and its selection would enhance the interest they already feel owing to the beauty of its cathedral and the wealth of its literary and historical associations and situated in the county of the diocese in which the Captain was born.

At a meeting of the Memorial Committee in 1913, it was arranged that Lady Scott, widow of the Antarctic explorer, should be the sculptor of the monument to be erected at Lichfield, that it should take the form of a bronze statue, more than life-size on a pedestal of granite with a suitable inscription."

Answer 3

they was probably to embarresed of the bloke that drove the biggest ship in the world into an ice berg to want it at his home town .....should that person above me be flogging stuff on here