Miss Aloisia Haas: A Young Swiss Traveler’s Tragic Journey on the Titanic

Miss Aloisia Haas was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old Swiss woman who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on February 14, 1888, in Switzerland, Aloisia was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to her untimely demise.

Early Life and Family

Aloisia Haas was born and raised in Switzerland, specifically in the canton of Uri. She came from a large family, with her father, Franz Haas, working at the ammunition factory in Altdorf to support his 11 children. This background suggests a modest upbringing, which likely influenced Aloisia’s decision to seek opportunities abroad.

Career and Aspirations

Prior to her fateful voyage, Aloisia was employed at the restaurant “Feldschlösschen” in Olten, located in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. Her job as a general laborer at the restaurant probably provided her with valuable experience in the service industry. This experience may have been a factor in her decision to travel to America, possibly in search of better employment opportunities.

The Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Ticket Details

Aloisia boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. She was traveling as a third-class passenger, having purchased her ticket from the agent Im Obersteg in Basel for 221 Swiss francs. Her ticket details were as follows:

• Ticket Number: 349236
• Price: £8 17s (8 pounds, 17 shillings)
• Destination: Chicago, Illinois

Travel Companions and Accommodations

Aloisia wasn’t traveling alone. She embarked on this journey with several companions:

• Josef Arnold-Franchi (her cousin)
• Josefine Arnold-Franchi (Josef’s wife)

During the voyage, Aloisia shared cabin R190 with:

• Josefina Arnold
• Maria Kink
• Luise Kink (mother)
• Luise Kink (daughter)

This arrangement of shared accommodations was common for third-class passengers and likely provided a sense of community during the journey.

The Tragic Sinking

Sadly, Aloisia Haas did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. She was just 24 (twenty-four) years old when she perished in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. Her body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving her family without closure.

Aftermath and Family Impact

The loss of Aloisia had a significant impact on her family back in Switzerland. Her father, Franz Haas, who was already struggling to support his large family, faced the heartbreaking news of his daughter’s death. In 1913, a year after the disaster, Franz Haas received £85 from the Lord Mayor’s Fund, which was established to provide financial assistance to the families of Titanic victims.

Franz Haas continued to work at the ammunition factory in Altdorf, carrying the burden of his loss until his own death on August 28, 1928, sixteen years after the Titanic disaster.

Legacy

While Aloisia Haas’s life was cut tragically short, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. She represents the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants who sought a better life across the Atlantic, only to have their journeys end in tragedy.

Today, Aloisia Haas is remembered alongside the many other Swiss passengers who perished on the Titanic, their stories serving as a testament to the global impact of this historic maritime disaster.