Joseph LaRoche: April 14, 1912

If he had been able to stick to his original travel plans, he would have survived the trip to his final destination and been able to share in the life of the son he never got to meet.

I have always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic. This huge “unsinkable ship” sank before completing one journey across the Atlantic Ocean. According to the book, “882 1/2 Amazing Answers to your Questions about the Titanic” at approximately 11:40 P.M. on April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg. At 2:20 A.M. on April 15, the ship plunged to the bottom of the ocean. The story of what happened in those 160 minutes over 112 years ago continue to fascinate the world.

The true fascination is with the number of stories one could tell and relive concerning the 1,300 passengers and 900 crew members onboard. Each one of them, just like each of us, had a unique life story. I have not jumped deep into researching the Titanic and it’s crew and passengers, but I always wonder always what went through the minds of the crew and travelers when it became apparent the ship was going to sink into the icy abyss of the Atlantic Ocean. Who were these people? Where did they come from? Where were they going? What were their plans? Who was waiting for them to arrive in New York? What were the thoughts of passengers who sat in the lifeboats witnessing the sinking of the Titanic?

So many people and so many stories are out there and many have not really been shared; however, I was introduced to a unique story today that I wish to share with you. This story has those twist and turns which would have made a great novel or movie. It’s the story of a man who received his engineering degree in France. This young man, Joseph Phillipe LeMercier LaRoche married a beautiful French woman, Juliette LaFargue and together they had 2 lovely daughters.

This is where their story gets interesting. After deciding to leave France to seek better employment opportunities, they made plans to leave in 1913, but when Juliette discovered she was pregnant for the third time, they moved the timing of the trip up so that she wouldn’t have to travel while pregnant. They had first-class tickets for another ocean liner, the France, but exchanged them last minute when they discovered the ship’s child policy decreed that all children must stay in the nursery at all times — a policy that didn’t sit well with Joseph, who wanted to be able to dine with his adorable daughters.

They decided to travel on Titanic instead.

If he had been able to stick to his original travel plans, he would have survived the trip to his final destination and been able to share in the life of the son he never got to meet.

So many stories.

On it’s way to America, the Titanic stopped in Cherbough, France and Queenstown, Ireland. Who got on? Who might have gotten off?

So many stories.

The best part of this story is the love felt through the interview Juliette gave concerning the last time she saw her husband: “ There, on the bridge, in the midst of the crush, I caught a glimpse of my husband, who, both arms outstretched above the crowd, was holding our younger daughter. He was trying to shield her from all the pushing ... he was struggling with the crewmen, and was showing them the little girl, to try to convince them that she had been separated from me, her mother ... Finally, someone grasped my little Louise from my husband's arms, she would soon be in my own arms. ... And the lifeboat moved down inexorably towards the sea. I hardly had time to shout a final farewell to my husband. I heard his voice, above the hubub, shouting to me:
" - I'll see you soon, my darling! ... There'll be room for everyone, go with the lifeboats, ... Look after our little girls ... See you soon!
"Then the lifeboat moved off into the distance.”

She never saw her husband again.

I’m sure the are so many stories like this that can be shared and enjoyed by anyone who exposes themself to the historical importance of the Titanic. Stories of people unable to say good bye to their loved ones as well as stories like this one.

To wrap this up for those who might feel this is important, Joseph was born in Cap Hatien, Haiti in 1886. He went to France when he was 15 years old. He was unable to secure employment in France commensurate with his engineering education. Fed up with the situation, and in need of money to pay Louise’s medical bills (his second daughter was born premature, and suffered from health problems), he decided to move back to Haiti where his financial and professional prospects were better.

Over 2,200 different people were on this ship with over 2,200 different and unique stories to share.

Look for them if the subject of the Titanic interest you.