As'Ad Tannūs

Who was Master As’ad Tannūs?

Master As’ad Tannūs, also known as Assed Alexander Thomas, was a Syrian-Lebanese infant who became one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic disaster. Born on November 8, 1911, in Ḥardīn, Lebanon, As’ad was just 5 (five) months old when he embarked on the ill-fated voyage that would forever etch his name in history.

Early Life and Family

Lebanese Origins

As’ad was born into a family of modest means in the village of Ḥardīn, Lebanon. His parents were:

• Father: Iskandar Tannūs (born 1890)
• Mother: Thamīn Khūrī (born 1895)

The couple had married in 1910, and As’ad was their firstborn child. His father earned a living selling fruits and vegetables in their home village, a humble beginning for a family that would soon embark on a life-changing journey.

Decision to Emigrate

Like many families of their time, the Tannūs family sought better opportunities across the Atlantic. The decision to emigrate set in motion a chain of events that would lead to their fateful encounter with the Titanic:

1. As’ad’s father, Alexander, traveled to America first
2. He settled in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
3. Alexander’s brother, Bashīr (known as Charles in America), already lived there and owned a dry goods store
4. Alexander sent Charles back to Lebanon to bring his wife and infant son to America

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Life

As’ad, barely half a year old, embarked on what was to be the adventure of a lifetime. Accompanied by his mother and uncle Charles, the young boy left his village of Ḥardīn for Beirut. From there, the group crossed to Marseille and eventually arrived in Cherbourg, France.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, As’ad and his family boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg. They were traveling as third-class passengers, with As’ad and his mother sharing ticket number 2625. The cost of their passage was £8, 10s, 4d - a significant sum for the family at the time. Their final destination was to be 33 Loomis Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where they would reunite with As’ad’s father.

The Night of the Sinking

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on that fateful night of April 14, 1912, chaos ensued. As’ad’s mother, Thelma, and his uncle Charles brought the infant to the upper decks. In the confusion that followed:

• The family became separated
• Thelma ended up in a lifeboat
• Charles was last seen still holding baby As’ad

Survival and Aftermath

A Miraculous Reunion

By a stroke of fortune, both As’ad and his mother survived the sinking. They were reunited aboard the rescue ship Carpathia, a moment of joy amidst the tragedy. Sadly, As’ad’s uncle Charles was among those lost in the disaster.

Recovery in New York

Upon arrival in New York, As’ad and his mother were hospitalized for the effects of shock and exposure. This brief stay marked the beginning of their new life in America.

Life in Wilkes-Barre

After their recovery, As’ad and his mother finally made it to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where they reunited with As’ad’s father, Alexander. The family settled at 216 Stanton Street, and over the years, As’ad gained nine siblings:

1. Sadie (born 1914)
2. Edward (born 1916)
3. Sarah (born 1919)
4. Helen (born 1921)
5. Joseph (born 1923)
6. Mae (born 1925)
7. Peter (born 1927)
8. Marjorie (born 1930)
9. Jean (born 1932)

A Life Cut Short

Despite surviving one of history’s most famous maritime disasters as an infant, As’ad’s life was tragically short. Known in the USA as Assed or Essid Alexander, he succumbed to pneumonia at the White Haven sanatorium on June 12, 1931. He was just 19 (nineteen) years old. As’ad was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre, his grave a poignant reminder of a life that began with an extraordinary survival but ended all too soon.

Legacy of a Titanic Survivor

As’ad Tannūs’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capricious nature of fate. From being one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic to his untimely death, his life encapsulates the hopes, struggles, and tragedies of many immigrant families of his era. Today, his grave in Wilkes-Barre stands as a tangible link to that fateful night in April 1912, when the “unsinkable” Titanic met its doom, forever changing the lives of those aboard, including a 5-month-old boy from Lebanon who would briefly call himself an American.