Asuncion Durán I Moné

Who was Miss Asuncion Durán i Moné?

Miss Asuncion Durán i Moné was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old Spanish domestic worker who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1885 in San Adrian, Province of Lérida, Spain, she was a second-class passenger on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic in April 1912. Her survival story and subsequent life in Cuba make her a notable figure among Titanic survivors.

Early Life and Family

Spanish Roots

Asuncion Durán i Moné was born in 1885 in the small town of San Adrian, located in the Province of Lérida, Spain. Little is known about her early years, but her occupation as a domestic worker suggests a humble background.

Family Ties

While details about her immediate family are scarce, we know that Asuncion had at least one sibling:

Florentina Durán i Moné: Her sister, who accompanied her on the Titanic voyage

Asuncion’s father, Ramon Duran, lived in Barcelona at Tamaset 167 Piso 2°-1a-. It was after visiting him that Asuncion embarked on her fateful journey.

The Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Ticket Details

Embarkation Point: Cherbourg, France
Ticket Number: SC/PARIS 2149
Ticket Price: £13 17s 2d
Class: Second Class

Asuncion boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912, accompanied by her sister Florentina. Their destination was Havana, Cuba, where Asuncion planned to meet Tomas Benedicto at Plaza del Vapor.

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Asuncion and her sister managed to secure places in one of the lifeboats.

Rescue Lifeboat: Number 12
Rescue Ship: RMS Carpathia

Life After the Titanic

Arrival in New York

After being rescued by the Carpathia, Asuncion disembarked in New York City. Her journey, however, was not over.

Continuing to Cuba

Prior to her Titanic voyage, Asuncion had made arrangements for her onward journey to Cuba:

Ticket Number: 1508
Price: £3 1s 9d
Purchased: April 6, 1912
Vendor: White Star Agent N. Martin in Paris
Route: Via Ward Line

This foresight ensured that she could continue her journey to Havana despite the unexpected detour caused by the Titanic disaster.

Later Life and Legacy

Life in Havana

While specific details are limited, it is believed that Asuncion settled in Havana, Cuba, after her harrowing experience on the Titanic.

Marriage and Final Resting Place

Historical records suggest that Asuncion married after arriving in Cuba, though her husband’s name is not known. She is thought to have lived out the remainder of her life in Havana.

It is believed that Asuncion Durán i Moné is buried under her married name at Colon Cemetery in Havana, Cuba.

Connections to Other Titanic Survivors

Asuncion’s Titanic experience connected her to other passengers, including:

Julian Padron Manent
Emilio Pallàs i Castelló

These connections highlight the shared experiences of Spanish-speaking passengers on the Titanic, many of whom were traveling to new lives in the Americas.

Miss Asuncion Durán i Moné’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse backgrounds of Titanic passengers and the far-reaching impact of the disaster on lives across the globe. From a domestic worker in Spain to a Titanic survivor and eventually a resident of Havana, her journey encapsulates the dramatic twists of fate that the Titanic’s sinking brought to many lives.