Ilyās Nīqūla Yārid

Who was Master Ilyās Nīqūla Yārid?

Master Ilyās Nīqūla Yārid, later known as Louis Nicholas Garrett, was a young Syrian-Lebanese Titanic survivor who embarked on a remarkable journey from his birthplace in Al Hākūr, Akkār, Lebanon, to a new life in America. Born on April 16, 1900, Ilyās was just 11 (eleven) years old when he boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic, surviving one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family

A Lebanese Beginning

Ilyās was born into a hardworking family in the village of Al Hākūr, Akkār, Lebanon. His father, Nīqūla Yārid (1850-1940), was a flour miller by trade, while his mother, Nūr Badr (born 1860), tended to the family. Ilyās had several older siblings, including his sister Jamilah (born 1898), who would play a crucial role in his Titanic survival story.

The Journey Begins

In the early 1900s, the Yārid family, like many others from the region, set their sights on America for a better life. Ilyās’s mother and some of his siblings had already made the journey, settling in Jacksonville, Duval, Florida. The plan was for the rest of the family to join them later.

The Fateful Titanic Voyage

An Unexpected Turn of Events

In March 1912, young Ilyās, along with his father and sister Jamilah, left their village to embark on the long journey to America. Their route would take them from Beirut to Marseille, and finally to Cherbourg, where they would board the Titanic. However, fate had other plans.

“Before the family could leave together, Ilyās’ father was diagnosed with a contagious eye infection which prevented him from joining any ship.”

This unexpected setback meant that Ilyās and Jamilah would have to make the journey alone, relying on the kindness of fellow Lebanese passengers to guide them.

Boarding the Titanic

The two children boarded the Titanic as third-class passengers, carrying with them ticket number 2651, which cost £11, 4s, 10d. This was a significant sum for a family of modest means, underscoring the importance of their journey to America.

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Ilyās and Jamilah were asleep in their cabin when disaster struck. Jamilah, sensing something was amiss, urged her brother to investigate. Initially reluctant, Ilyās eventually agreed, and the two children made their way to the boat deck.

In a moment of quick thinking, Jamilah remembered the $500 their father had given them for the trip. They attempted to return to their cabin to retrieve it, but found the passageway flooded. Forced back to the deck, they were fortunately allowed into a lifeboat, securing their survival.

Life After the Titanic

A New Beginning in America

Upon arriving in New York aboard the Carpathia, Ilyās and Jamilah were met by their elder brother Isaac (1894-1985). The children spent several months recuperating in Nova Scotia before being reunited with their father in July. The family settled in Jacksonville, Florida, where they began their new life in America.

From Ilyās to Louis: A New Identity

To help assimilate into their new home, the family changed their surname from Yārid to Garrett. Ilyās adopted the name Louis Nicholas, marking the beginning of his American identity.

Adult Life and Family

Marriage and Family

Louis worked for his brother Isaac and initially lived with him in Fresno, California. On February 5, 1926, he married Elizabeth Shedise (1896-1951), who was also a Lebanese immigrant. The couple faced tragedy when their firstborn son died on the day of his birth, April 2, 1927. However, they welcomed another son, Kenneth, in 1929.

Career and Later Years

The Garrett family made their home in Jacksonville, where Louis established himself as a grocery merchant. In his later years, Louis became a Jehovah’s Witness and even made a return trip to Lebanon in the late 1940s, this time by airplane – a stark contrast to his first transatlantic journey.

The Titanic’s Lasting Impact

Despite his survival and successful life in America, the Titanic disaster left an indelible mark on Louis. He rarely spoke about the tragedy, and when he did, it evoked strong emotions. This reluctance to discuss the event is common among Titanic survivors, highlighting the profound psychological impact of the disaster.

Legacy and Final Years

Louis Nicholas Garrett, the boy who survived the Titanic, lived a long and full life. He passed away on May 31, 1981, at the age of 81 (eighty-one), in Tucker, Georgia, while visiting his son Kenneth. He was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, the city that had become his home after his incredible journey across the Atlantic.

Ilyās Nīqūla Yārid’s story is a testament to survival, adaptation, and the immigrant experience in early 20th century America. From a young boy fleeing Lebanon to a respected member of his community in Florida, his life journey paralleled the dramatic changes of the century he lived through.