Jakob Birnbaum

Who was Mr Jakob Birnbaum?

Mr Jakob Birnbaum was a 24-year-old Polish businessman and diamond dealer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on August 24, 1887, in Krakow, Austria (now Poland), Birnbaum was a first-class passenger on the ill-fated ship’s maiden voyage, traveling from Cherbourg to New York on business.

Early Life and Family

A Large Jewish Family in Krakow

Jakob Birnbaum was born into a large Jewish family in Krakow, then part of Austria. He was the second of nine children born to Joachim (Jeruchim) Birnbaum and Theophilia (Chaja Tuba) Cypres Birnbaum. His siblings included:

• Hirsch (Henri) Birnbaum (1886-1977)
• Lobel (born 1886)
• Adela (1888-1984)
• Michael (1890-1984)
• Berta (born 1892)
• Samuel Jozef (Sylvain) (1894-1967)
• Leopold Peretz (1895-1990)
• Agusta (1897-1943)
• Bala (1897-1970)
• Alexander (1903-1986)

This large family provided Jakob with a strong support system and likely influenced his business acumen in later years.

Business Career

A Rising Star in the Diamond Industry

By the age of 24, Jakob Birnbaum had already established himself as a prominent figure in the diamond industry. He was the head of the diamond firm Jakob Birnbaum & Co., based in San Francisco. His success in this competitive field at such a young age speaks volumes about his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.

Birnbaum maintained strong ties to Europe, particularly Antwerp, Belgium—a global hub for the diamond trade. His European address was listed as 11 Rue Membling, Antwerp, indicating his international business presence.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Change of Plans

In 1912, Jakob Birnbaum had traveled to Antwerp for business and was planning to return to the United States before April. However, his family persuaded him to stay for the Jewish holiday of Passover, a decision that would ultimately seal his fate.

Initially, Birnbaum had booked passage with another company. Due to a coal strike in England, his ticket was transferred to the RMS Titanic. This twist of fate placed him on board the “unsinkable” ship for its maiden voyage.

Boarding the Titanic

Jakob Birnbaum boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912. He traveled as a first-class passenger, holding ticket number 13905, which cost £26 (equivalent to about £3,000 or $3,800 in 2021).

According to family accounts, Jakob’s relatives pleaded with him not to travel on a ship’s maiden voyage. However, reassured by the Titanic’s reputation as “unsinkable,” he decided to proceed with his journey.

The Tragic Sinking

The Night of April 14-15, 1912

On the night of April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. Despite the ship’s advanced safety features, it began to sink. In the chaos that ensued, many passengers, including Jakob Birnbaum, were unable to secure a place on the limited number of lifeboats.

Recovery and Identification

Jakob Birnbaum did not survive the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, a cable ship chartered to retrieve bodies from the disaster site. He was body number 148 among those recovered.

The description of his body provides a poignant snapshot of the young businessman:

NO. 148. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 28. - DARK HAIR. CLOTHING - Light grey overcoat; blue pajamas. EFFECTS - Gold glasses; gold ring marked “J. B.”; 2 pairs tweezers; 2 bunches keys; 1 gold watch chain; scissors; papers; nail file; 2 memo books; pocket knife; diamond solitaire tie pin; purse. FIRST CLASS NAME - JACOB BERNBAUN, San Francisco

The Aftermath

A Significant Loss to the Diamond Industry

The loss of Jakob Birnbaum was not just a personal tragedy for his family but also a significant blow to the diamond industry. A newspaper report from the Oakland Tribune on April 22, 1912, highlighted the extent of this loss:

“Public Administrator Hines applied for letters of administration this morning on the estate of Jakob Birnbaum, head of the firm of Birnbaum & Co., who lost his life in the wreck of the steamship Titanic on April 15. It is believed that diamonds to the amount of $100,000, which he was bringing to this country, were lost.”

This substantial loss, equivalent to over $2.7 million in 2021, underscores the economic impact of the Titanic disaster beyond the human tragedy.

Final Resting Place

A Poignant Memorial

Jakob Birnbaum’s body was returned to his family and buried at the Jewish Cemetery in Putte, Holland, just across the Belgian border. His grave serves as a lasting memorial to his life and the Titanic disaster:

• A ship atop the grave symbolizes the Titanic
• The tombstone inscription, in part, reads:

“Here lies a well-educated young man. May his memory rest in peace. He was the son of Jerucham Birnbaum of Krakow, aged 25 years. He was drowned in the Titanic shipwreck on the 28th day of Nissan. His body was rejected by the sea 12 days later and was brought home to be buried on the eve of Shavouot in the year 5,672.”

A Lasting Legacy

The story of Jakob Birnbaum serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. A young, successful businessman with a promising future ahead of him, Birnbaum’s life was cut