Special Report

Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche, born on May 26, 1886, in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, was a Haitian engineer who became the only known Black male passenger aboard the RMS Titanic during its ill-fated maiden voyage in April 1912.

Early Life and Education

At the age of 15, Laroche moved to France to pursue his education, enrolling in Beauvais and later earning an engineering degree. Fluent in French, Creole, and English, he faced significant racial discrimination in France, which hindered his ability to secure well-paying employment despite his qualifications. In 1908, he married Juliette Lafargue, a French woman, and they had two daughters, Simonne (born 1909) and Louise (born 1910). Due to Louise’s premature birth and subsequent health issues, the family incurred substantial medical expenses.

Voyage to Haiti

Seeking better opportunities and support for his family, Laroche decided to return to Haiti, where his uncle, Cincinnatus Leconte, had recently become president and promised him a teaching position. Initially, the family booked first-class passage on the SS La France, but upon learning that the ship’s policy required children to dine separately from their parents, they exchanged their tickets for second-class accommodations aboard the Titanic. They boarded the ship in Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912, intending to travel to New York and then to Haiti.

The Titanic Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg. Joseph Laroche ensured that his wife and daughters boarded a lifeboat, likely lifeboat 10 or 8, which were among those launched that night. He was last seen assuring his wife that they would reunite soon. Tragically, Laroche did not survive the sinking, and his body was never recovered. His wife and daughters were rescued by the RMS Carpathia and later returned to France.

Legacy

The story of Joseph Laroche remained largely untold for many years. In 1995, his daughter Louise, one of the last remaining Titanic survivors, revisited the SS Nomadic, the tender ship that had transported them to the Titanic, and participated in commemorative events honoring the passengers who embarked from Cherbourg. She passed away in 1998, leaving behind a legacy that highlights the often-overlooked presence of Black individuals in early 20th-century history.

Joseph Laroche’s story has been the subject of various works, including the opera LaRoche by composer Sharon J. Willis, premiered in 2003 as part of the National Black Arts Festival. His life and sacrifice continue to inspire discussions about race, identity, and the untold narratives of history.untold narratives of history.

More Information:

https://travelnoire.com/joseph-laroche-black-man-aboard-titanic
https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/titanic/joseph-laroche-only-black-man-on-titanic