Welcome aboard on this glorious spring day. I'm Edward John "E.J." Smith, captain of RMS Titanic, and commander of White Star Line's impressive fleet. You've arrived on a very special day: April 10, 1912. We're about to take this fine lady to sea on her maiden voyage.
My officers spent the night on board, but I stayed home with family -- wife Sarah and our 12-year-old daughter, Helen. At 7 a.m. I climbed the gangway and prepared for inspection by the local board of trade and other officials; ships require permission to sail, which Titanic easily received.
We'll cast off from Southampton, England at noon and cross the channel to Cherbourg, France. Tonight we;ll cross back to Queeenstown, Ireland, and from there we'll steer a course across the pond to New York City. Should take seven days but could be earlier if weather and other conditions permit.
Once Titanic and I are back home in Southampton, I'm retiring. At age 62, I've been a seaman nearly 50 years, 32 as a valued member of the White Star Line family. It's been a fantastic life --mastering some of the finest ships ever built, while hobnobbing with the rich and famous. I'll surely look back on this final voyage as the highlight of my career.
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