Choong Foo

Who was Choong Foo?

Choong Foo was a 32 (thirty-two) year-old Hong Kongese seaman and Titanic survivor. He was one of eight Chinese passengers who boarded the ill-fated ship as third-class passengers, defying longstanding misconceptions about their presence on board.

Early Life and Background

Born in 1880, Choong Foo hailed from Hong Kong. Little is known about his early life, but his occupation as a seaman suggests a life closely tied to maritime work. At the time of his Titanic journey, Foo was unmarried, indicating he may have dedicated much of his life to his seafaring career.

Journey to the Titanic

Why was Choong Foo on the Titanic?

Choong Foo’s presence on the Titanic was directly related to his profession. He was traveling to New York City with eight colleagues from the Donald Line’s ship Annetta. Their group consisted of:

• Lee Bing
• Chang Chip
• Choong Foo
• Ling Hee
• Ah Lam
• Len Lam
• Fang Lang
• Lee Ling

Debunking the Stowaway Myth

For years, a persistent myth suggested that Choong Foo and his companions were stowaways on the Titanic. However, historical records have definitively disproven this claim. In fact, all eight men boarded the Titanic at Southampton as legitimate, fare-paying third-class passengers.

Titanic Voyage Details

Here are the key details of Choong Foo’s Titanic journey:

It’s worth noting that all eight Chinese passengers traveled on the same ticket, sharing the cost among them.

The Fateful Night and Survival

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Choong Foo managed to survive the disaster. While the exact details of his rescue are not provided, we know he was among the fortunate survivors picked up by the RMS Carpathia.

After the Titanic

Where did Choong Foo go after the rescue?

Following their arrival in America aboard the Carpathia, Choong Foo and the other Chinese survivors didn’t stay long in New York. On April 20, 1912, just days after their rescue, they boarded the Donald Line’s Annetta bound for Cuba. This quick departure may have been related to the strict Chinese Exclusion Act in force in the United States at the time, which severely limited Chinese immigration.

Legacy and Modern Recognition

The story of Choong Foo and his fellow Chinese sailors remained largely untold for decades. However, in recent years, their experiences have gained recognition and become the subject of historical research and documentation.

In 2021, a documentary titled “The Six” was released, focusing on the experiences of the six Chinese Titanic survivors, including Choong Foo. This film has played a crucial role in bringing their stories to light and challenging long-held misconceptions about their presence on the Titanic.

Choong Foo’s survival and subsequent journey serve as a reminder of the diverse array of passengers aboard the Titanic and the complex stories of survival and migration that followed the disaster. His story continues to intrigue Titanic historians and enthusiasts, offering a unique perspective on one of history’s most famous maritime tragedies.