The Story of Joseph, the Only Black Man on the Titanic
Welcome to Stories of Forgotten Lives. Today, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Joseph Phipe Lame Merier Laros, the only Black man known to have traveled aboard the Titanic. For over 80 years, his story remained hidden, until his daughter courageously broke the silence. This powerful account reveals themes of love, racism, sacrifice, and unfulfilled promises.
On the night of April 14, 1912, the Titanic, the largest ship ever built, was crossing the North Atlantic at full speed. With calm waters and clear skies, over 2,000 passengers were blissfully unaware that disaster loomed. Among them was Joseph, a 25-year-old trained engineer from Haiti, who spoke three languages fluently. Despite his remarkable background, Joseph’s name has been largely forgotten in history.
Born on May 26, 1886, in Caphisian, Haiti, Joseph grew up in a well-off family. His father was a former military officer, and his mother, Usuzeli, hailed from a respected lineage. Education was highly valued in his household, and from a young age, Joseph displayed a natural curiosity and talent for learning. His mother, recognizing his potential, sent him to France at 15 to pursue an engineering degree, believing he could return to Haiti and help rebuild the country.
Joseph excelled in his studies, but upon graduation, he faced harsh discrimination. Despite his qualifications, employers in France were unwilling to hire a Black engineer. Frustrated but determined, he took on low-paying jobs that did not utilize his skills, all while trying to provide for his family.
In 1908, Joseph met and fell in love with Juliet Marie Louise Lafag, a white woman from a local wine merchant family. Their relationship faced societal disapproval, but they married and had two daughters, Simone and Louise. However, the couple struggled financially, especially with Louise’s health issues, prompting Joseph to consider returning to Haiti for better opportunities.
In early 1912, Joseph secured tickets for his family aboard the Titanic, believing it would provide a better life. The Titanic was touted as “unsinkable,” and Joseph was excited about the journey. On April 10, 1912, they boarded the ship in Cherbourg, France. The family settled into their second-class cabin, enjoying the ship’s amenities and the promise of a new life.
However, on the night of April 14, Joseph felt a sudden jolt as the Titanic struck an iceberg. Panic ensued as passengers were instructed to evacuate. Joseph quickly gathered his family, but the chaos made it difficult to navigate the ship. He managed to get Juliet and their daughters to a lifeboat, but the situation was dire.
In a heartbreaking decision, Joseph handed Louise to a stranger, urging her to pass the baby to Juliet in the lifeboat. As the lifeboat descended, Joseph watched his family disappear into the darkness, knowing he might never see them again.
As the Titanic sank, Joseph was left behind, ultimately perishing in the icy waters of the Atlantic. His body was never recovered. Meanwhile, Juliet and their daughters were among the 706 survivors, arriving in New York as a grieving widow and mother.
Juliet returned to France with her daughters, forever changed by the tragedy. Months later, she gave birth to a son, naming him Joseph after his father. Though Joseph’s life was cut short, his legacy lived on through his family and the story that was finally told decades later.
This account serves as a reminder of the forgotten lives intertwined with history, highlighting the resilience of those who endure unimaginable loss.
