Duncan Barrett

Which in the case of a ship, this big takes over three minutes to accomplish. At the end of a long day, the captain is satisfied that white stars latest vessel is fit for purpose, but he won't be commanding Titanic's maiden voyage. That honor goes to an even more senior white star employee, Commodore of the fleet, captain Edward Smith. Smith is the archetypal British Sea Captain.

Which in the case of a ship, this big takes over three minutes to accomplish. At the end of a long day, the captain is satisfied that white stars latest vessel is fit for purpose, but he won't be commanding Titanic's maiden voyage. That honor goes to an even more senior white star employee, Commodore of the fleet, captain Edward Smith. Smith is the archetypal British Sea Captain.

Trim white beard, crisp blue uniform, and a pair of gleaming military medals. Less Captain Haddock, more Captain Birdseye. As far as White Star are concerned, Smith is the cream of the crop. His easy way with the company's wealthiest passengers has seen him nicknamed the Millionaire's Captain. At 62 years old, he has a glittering career behind him.

Trim white beard, crisp blue uniform, and a pair of gleaming military medals. Less Captain Haddock, more Captain Birdseye. As far as White Star are concerned, Smith is the cream of the crop. His easy way with the company's wealthiest passengers has seen him nicknamed the Millionaire's Captain. At 62 years old, he has a glittering career behind him.

In fact, this voyage will be his last before retirement. On Thursday, April 4th, Haddock is formally relieved by Captain Smith. While the White Star Commodore settles into his new position on Titanic, Haddock heads over to Smith's previous command, RMS Olympic. With Titanic about to begin her maiden voyage, Olympic has just dropped down a peg to number two.

In fact, this voyage will be his last before retirement. On Thursday, April 4th, Haddock is formally relieved by Captain Smith. While the White Star Commodore settles into his new position on Titanic, Haddock heads over to Smith's previous command, RMS Olympic. With Titanic about to begin her maiden voyage, Olympic has just dropped down a peg to number two.

Captain Smith wastes no time in reshuffling the chain of command. He brings trusted officers over from Olympic, and demotes or fires others already assigned to Titanic. But something is lost in the shuffle. A pair of binoculars, earmarked for the lookouts in the crow's nest. The only man who knows where they are, former Second Officer David Blair, is no longer on board.

Captain Smith wastes no time in reshuffling the chain of command. He brings trusted officers over from Olympic, and demotes or fires others already assigned to Titanic. But something is lost in the shuffle. A pair of binoculars, earmarked for the lookouts in the crow's nest. The only man who knows where they are, former Second Officer David Blair, is no longer on board.

Julian Fellows is the award-winning creator of Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age, and the 2012 miniseries Titanic.

Julian Fellows is the award-winning creator of Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age, and the 2012 miniseries Titanic.

How much of an impact the missing binoculars will have on Titanic's fate is debatable, even today. Would seeing the iceberg a few seconds earlier have given the crew time to avoid it? Jerome Chertkoff is Professor Emeritus of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Indiana. His books include Don't Panic! The Psychology of Emergency Egress and Ingress,

How much of an impact the missing binoculars will have on Titanic's fate is debatable, even today. Would seeing the iceberg a few seconds earlier have given the crew time to avoid it? Jerome Chertkoff is Professor Emeritus of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Indiana. His books include Don't Panic! The Psychology of Emergency Egress and Ingress,

Built in Belfast and registered in Liverpool, Titanic will in fact set sail from Southampton. Although the journey to New York would be 100 miles shorter from White Star's headquarters on Merseyside, these days all transatlantic passenger trips depart from the southern English port.

Built in Belfast and registered in Liverpool, Titanic will in fact set sail from Southampton. Although the journey to New York would be 100 miles shorter from White Star's headquarters on Merseyside, these days all transatlantic passenger trips depart from the southern English port.

As a result, it's from Southampton that the majority of the ship's crew are recruited. 431 men and women in the catering department alone, 290 stewards and stewardesses, and 280 of the city's strongest, toughest men to work in the engine rooms. But not all the new recruits are born and bred Southerners.

As a result, it's from Southampton that the majority of the ship's crew are recruited. 431 men and women in the catering department alone, 290 stewards and stewardesses, and 280 of the city's strongest, toughest men to work in the engine rooms. But not all the new recruits are born and bred Southerners.

One recent addition to the roster is Tommy Miller, the Belfast man who helped build and install the ship's engines for Harland and Wolfe. After a personal tragedy, Tommy is looking for a fresh start, and he's pretty sure he's found it in America.

One recent addition to the roster is Tommy Miller, the Belfast man who helped build and install the ship's engines for Harland and Wolfe. After a personal tragedy, Tommy is looking for a fresh start, and he's pretty sure he's found it in America.

As a deck engineer, Tommy will be responsible for much of Titanic's onboard machinery. Winches, cranes, even the davits used to lower lifeboats in case of emergency. But for now, at least, he'll be travelling solo.

As a deck engineer, Tommy will be responsible for much of Titanic's onboard machinery. Winches, cranes, even the davits used to lower lifeboats in case of emergency. But for now, at least, he'll be travelling solo.