Al-Amīr Fāris Shihāb
Who was Mr Al-Amīr Fāris Shihāb?
Mr Al-Amīr Fāris Shihāb, also known as Al Amir Fares Chehab, was a 26 (twenty-six) year-old Syrian-Lebanese passenger aboard the ill-fated Titanic. Born into an affluent family in 1886, he was a gifted musician en route to New York to pursue his musical career when tragedy struck on April 15, 1912.
Early Life and Family
A Noble Lineage
Mr Shihāb was born in al Hadath, Beirut, Syria (now Lebanon) around 1886. He came from a distinguished background, being the son of Amīr Fāris ibn Sayyid Ahmad ibn Haydar Mūsa and Marwa al-Shihābī. His family tree included:
- Two known brothers: Najīb and Hāris
- A sister: Helene
Despite his noble heritage, Fāris was not immune to the allure of new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Marriage and Personal Life
Mr Shihāb was married to Hind Abi Yāghī, though the couple had no children at the time of his fateful journey. This lack of direct descendants would later play a role in how his legacy was remembered and honored.
Musical Aspirations and the Titanic Journey
A Talented Musician Sets Sail
Fāris Shihāb was not just a man of noble birth; he was also a gifted musician. His passion for music led him to embark on a life-changing journey to New York, where he hoped to pursue a promising career in the field.
Boarding the Titanic
On April 10, 1912, Mr Shihāb boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France. He traveled as a third-class passenger, holding ticket number 2631, which cost £7, 4s, 6d. This decision to travel in third class, despite his affluent background, raises intriguing questions about his motivations and circumstances.
The Fateful Night
A Multilingual Mediator
Reportedly fluent in English, Fāris may have played a crucial role during the chaotic night of April 14, 1912. As the situation on the Titanic deteriorated, he potentially served as an impromptu interpreter, explaining the developing crisis to his fellow countrymen who may have only spoken Arabic or French.
What happened to Fāris Shihāb during the sinking?
Tragically, Al-Amīr Fāris Shihāb did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The loss of this talented musician at the young age of 26 (twenty-six) cut short a life full of promise and potential.
Legacy and Remembrance
Support for the Bereaved
In the aftermath of the disaster, Mr Shihāb’s widow Hind and his widowed mother received support from the Titanic Relief Fund. This financial assistance helped ease some of the burdens faced by the family in the wake of their loss.
A Lasting Memorial
Today, the family home of Fāris Shihāb in Beirut serves as the Brazilian Embassy. In a touching tribute to the lost musician, a plaque on an exterior wall of the building commemorates his life and untimely death. This memorial ensures that the memory of Al-Amīr Fāris Shihāb lives on, not just as a victim of a maritime disaster, but as a talented individual with unfulfilled dreams.
The story of Fāris Shihāb serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse lives touched by the Titanic tragedy, reaching far beyond the shores of Southampton and New York to impact families and communities across the globe.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.