As the country commemorates the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Titanic, I would like to include a little-known story of the one Haitian man who was there. I was surprised to learn that the Titanic was supposed to stop off in Haiti before heading for New York. I enjoyed "Titanic", but I believe that Joseph and Juliette's story is a real love story. The Cincinnati Herald states, "The life story of Haitian native Joseph Phillippe Lemercier Laroche is far more intriguing than the movie’s lead character, but no one knew of his existence until recently." (2012).
Juliette and Joseph Laroche and their two daughters Simonne and Louise. The formal photograph was taken before the family decided to emigrate to Haiti, Joseph's native country. Louise is seated on her father's lap.
The RMS Titanic, April 15, 1912
Joseph Phillip Lemercier Laroche was a Haitian-born, French-educated engineer. Joseph Laroche was born in Haiti in 1889 into a powerful family — his uncle, Dessalines M. Cincinnatus Leconte, was the president of Haiti. When he was fifteen, Joseph Laroche left Haiti to study engineering in Beauvais, France.
Several years later, he met Juliette Lafargue, the 22-year-old daughter of a local wine seller. The two eventually married. Despite having an engineering degree, Joseph's skin color left him unable to find employment in France. The Laroches decided to return to Haiti and booked second-class reservations on the Titanic. After the ship struck an iceberg, Joseph loaded his wife and children onto a lifeboat and he went down with the ship. His body was never recovered. Shortly before Christmas of that year, Juliette Laroche gave birth to their son, Joseph Laroche Jr. Juliette never remarried.
Resources
The Cincinnati Herald. (2012). The Cincinnati Herald. "Nephew of Haitian President Perished in Titanic." Retrieved from http://www.thecincinnatiherald.com/news/2010-03-20/Section_B/NEPHEW_OF_HAITIAN_PRESIDENT_Perished_on_Titanic.html
Chasing the Frog.com. (2012). Chasing the Frog, com.CTF Media. Titanic (1997). Retrieved from
http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/titanic.php
The Titanic Historical Society has an excellent article about the Laroche family, including letters and postcards sent by Juliet Laroche. The site includes an interview with the youngest daughter, Louise Laroche, who was an Honour Member of the Titanic Historical Society. She died in 1998.
Reference
Titanic Historical Society. (2012). The Titainic Society, Inc. Miss Louise Laroche. Retrieved from
http://www.titanic1.org/people/louise-laroche.asp
The Chicago Tribune has an interesting article about Christine LeBrun and how she found out that she was related to Laroche. The article states, "How she came to know about her ancestor is a story that begins in a hair salon in 2000."
Reference
Chicago Tribune News Column. "Black passengers add another facet to Titanic story. A twice overlooked passenger has local ties." Retrieved from
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-trice-titanic-0409-20120409,0,2696114.story
Very informative story! Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this.
DeleteAmazing and interesting story! I love the movie myself and have watched it many times, but I had never heard this particular story! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello Ruthy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the movie too (I saw it six times!) However, I think this is a real-life, love story that needs to be told!