Over the years, the sinking of the RMS Titanic has been the subject of many investigations, theories and speculations. The tragedy that occurred on the night of April 14-15, 1912, is considered one of the greatest disasters in maritime history, leaving an indelible mark on 20th century history. However, until recently, the exact causes behind the disaster and the decisions made aboard the Titanic remained a mystery. At the age of 101, Captain Edward Smith, the commander of the ill-fated voyage, has finally broken his silence and revealed details that had been hidden for more than a century.

Captain Smith, a respected and experienced figure in the merchant marine, had spent many years in the service before taking command of the Titanic. During his career he captained several ships, but his connection to the Titanic would be most famous, as he became the captain of the most luxurious and technologically advanced ship of its time. On April 10, 1912, the Titanic set sail from Southampton for New York, carrying over 2,200 passengers and crew. What seemed like a historic voyage turned into a tragedy that would shock the world.

According to Captain Smith, the primary cause of the ship’s sinking was not a technical fault or a design flaw, but a series of decisions made under pressure and unforeseen circumstances. Smith acknowledged that one of the determining factors was the speed at which the boat was sailing, an aspect that had been controversial from the start. The Titanic was travelling at a very high speed for the sea conditions that night, despite warnings of icebergs in the area. Smith said that because of the confidence in the ship and the pressure to reach New York quickly, recommendations to slow down in dangerous waters were ignored.

Another aspect that the captain revealed was the crew’s lack of preparation for a disaster of this magnitude. Although the Titanic was equipped with lifeboats, Smith admitted that there was not enough training for emergencies, which led to confusion and panic during the sinking. The poor organization of the evacuation further worsened the passengers’ chances of survival.

Smith also noted that although he was aware of the risks of sailing at high speed in an area filled with icebergs, his reputation and the pressure he was under to complete the voyage without incident played a decisive role in the decisions he made that night. The captain stated that in retrospect, he realized that many of the decisions he made were driven by a desire to impress the public and prove that the Titanic was unsinkable.

Edward Smith’s revelations have left historians and experts in shock, as many of these details have never been directly reported before. Although the captain can no longer change past events, his confession sheds new light on a disaster that has until now been shrouded in speculation and mystery.

Through his words, Captain Smith finally provided a clearer perspective on what happened that fateful night, allowing the world to better understand the mistakes and decisions that led to the tragedy that changed the history of navigation forever.