Benoît Picard - Titanic Universe

Who was Benoît Picard?

Benoît Picard was a Polish-born Titanic survivor who later became an American citizen. Born as Berk Trembiskey in Warsaw on November 27, 1878, he adopted the French name Benoît Picard while living in France. He survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and went on to live a colorful life in the United States, working as a leather worker and hotel clerk.

Early Life and Immigration

From Warsaw to France

Benoît Picard was born to Russian parents in Warsaw, Poland, which was then part of the Russian Empire. Details about his early life are scarce, but we know that he spent several years living in France, where he adopted his French name.

Moving to England

After his time in France, Picard moved to England. The 1911 census records show him as a boarder living at 8 Newling Street, Bethnal Green, London. At this time, he was described as an unmarried Gladstone bag maker, showcasing his skills in leatherwork.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ill-Fated Ship

Benoît Picard boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His ticket details reveal:

Ticket Number: 392078
Ticket Cost: £8, 1s
Cabin Number: 10 (possibly on F-deck)
Destination: San Francisco, California

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Picard’s experience was harrowing:

He was asleep when he felt a slight shock.
Curiosity led him and his cabin mates to investigate on deck.
When they tried to return for belongings, stewards blocked their way.
Picard separated from his group and made his way to higher decks.
He found an open door between third and second-class areas.
He climbed a ladder into the first-class section.
On the boat deck, he boarded Lifeboat 9 with other men.

In the lifeboat, Picard had a memorable conversation with a seaman:

“I would rather be on the ship,” Picard remarked. The seaman laughed, asking, “Do you not see we are sinking?” Picard recalled, “I was rather excited, and I said, ‘It is fortunate that the sea is nice, but perhaps in five minutes we will be turned over.’”

Life After the Titanic

New York and Citizenship

After arriving in New York aboard the Carpathia, Picard’s life took several turns:

He initially stayed in New York instead of continuing to San Francisco.
On May 11, 1912, he declared his intention to become an American citizen.
His address was listed as 332 Vernon Avenue, Brooklyn.

Physical Description

At the time of his citizenship application, Picard was described as:

Height: 5'3" (short in stature)
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Blue
Complexion: Fair
Weight: 177 lbs

Move to San Francisco

Picard eventually made his way to San Francisco, where he:

Petitioned for naturalization on February 4, 1919
Pledged his Oath of Allegiance on July 8, 1919
Continued working in the leather trade

Later Life and Incidents

Career and Residence

In 1920, Picard lived on Mission Street, San Francisco.
By 1940, he resided at 222 Columbus Avenue.
He worked as a clerk and identified as a Democrat.
Picard also worked as a night clerk in a hotel.

The Robbery Incidents

In a bizarre turn of events, Picard became the victim of a series of robberies:

ROBBERY SIX TIMES FAILS
Los Angeles, July 21–Joseph Kelch, of Fargo, N.D., shot twice through the body when, police said, he attempted to escape after holding up a hotel clerk, was in critical condition tonight.
Night clerk Benoit Picard complained to police he had been robbed five times, of a total of $30, each time by the same man who walked into the hotel lobby.
Early today, when Kelch walked in, two detectives were waiting. Picard said Kelch ordered, “Hand it over,” and the clerk replied, “What, you back again?”
When Detective Lieutenants Ralph Gaffney and Harry Rankin appeared, Kelch made a movement toward his pocket and they fired. Picard said Kelch was the man who committed the earlier holdups.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 22, 1939

Final Years

Benoît Picard, the Titanic survivor who lived through multiple historical events and personal challenges, passed away on May 25, 1941, at the age of 62 (sixty-two). He was laid to rest in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Cemetery in Colma, California, bringing an end to a life that spanned continents and witnessed one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.