Iconic RMS Titanic Captain Smith Immortalised in Stunning New Art Mural in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre

Iconic RMS Titanic Captain Smith Immortalised in Stunning New Art Mural in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre

Stoke-on-Trent Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the completion of a captivating new art mural, dedicated to the legendary RMS Titanic Captain Edward John Smith. This larger-than-life mural, a testament to the rich maritime history of Stoke-on-Trent, is set to become a focal point in the city centre, celebrating heritage and the extraordinary individuals who have played a part in shaping it.

Born in Hanley in 1850, Captain Smith went on to command the ill-fated RMS Titanic during its maiden voyage in 1912. Commissioned by the BID, this grand new art installation follows a series of locations in the city centre, depicting the history of local individuals and institutions of note. Earlier in 2023, work was completed in creating murals to academic trailblazer Eleanor Lodge, major steelworks Shelton Bar and the famed Stoke Speedway.

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID CEO, Richard Buxton, said:

"We are proud to once more demonstrate our commitment to improving our city centre with this amazing new mural. This piece forms part of our initiative to improve Hope Street and joins three others in that area that we have commissioned. We intend to undertake more artwork improvements over the coming months to enhance our city centre. One of the Business Improvement District's guiding drivers is heritage, which has been showcased across the city centre through the impressive murals."

The mural of Captain Smith took just over a week to complete, with the portrait of Captain Smith painted by Ethan and the maritime expression ‘Fail we may, Sail we must’ depicted in custom, hand-rendered type by Tom Edwards of We are Culla. Alongside this, a silhouette of the White Star Line ship can be found in the background, disguised via a ‘dazzle camo’ pattern, - a maritime system created before the ‘Great war’ by fellow Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) member, Norman Wilkinson.

The mural’s location and style was carefully chosen in collaboration with the artists and acclaimed graphic muralist Rob Fenton, to ensure that it becomes an integral part of Stoke-on-Trent city centre’s cultural landscape and is now available for the public to view on Hope Street.