April 10th, 1912, 7.30 AM - Sailing day is finally here after a week of ceaseless efforts to prepare Titanic at Southampton. Most of the crew boards at this time, followed directly by an 8.00 AM crew muster, with employee health inspections carried out and several no-shows being replaced by those eagerly awaiting the opportunity at dockside. EJ Smith is seen here aboard Titanic (this view taken at Queenstown tomorrow, on the 11th of April) outside the officers' quarters on the liner’s starboard Boat Deck alongside Chief Purser Hugh McElroy, a fellow long time White Star veteran and recent transferee from Olympic. It is his duty this morning, along with his capable and well trained crew, to oversee and prepare for the boarding and well being of the more than 2,200 souls which will shortly be under his hand for the coming week at sea.
