Nicholas Nasser: A Tragic Tale of Love and Loss on the Titanic

Who was Nicholas Nasser?

Nicholas Nasser, born as Niqūlā Khalīl Naṣr Allāh in 1883, was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old Syrian-Lebanese passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. A second-class passenger with a newly-wed wife, Nasser’s story is one of romance, ambition, and ultimate tragedy.

Early Life and Background

From Lebanon to San Francisco

Born in Zahlah, Beqaa, Lebanon, Nicholas Nasser was the son of Khalīl Ilyās Naṣr Allāh and Wardah Shehadi. Like many of his siblings, Nasser sought opportunity in the United States, emigrating around 1908. He followed in the footsteps of his uncles, Albert and Abraham, who had settled in San Francisco in 1894.

A Family of Entrepreneurs

The Nasser family quickly established themselves in the bustling city of San Francisco:

Albert and Abraham’s children became involved in the movie business
They owned nickelodeons and established several theaters
The Castro Theatre, opened in 1910, remains in the family’s hands today
Albert started a confectionery business

Following his family’s entrepreneurial spirit, Nicholas opened his own confectionery store at 286 Sanchez Street.

A Fateful Journey

Why did Nicholas Nasser return to Lebanon?

In a romantic twist of fate, Nicholas returned to Lebanon to find a bride. He married Adāl Hakīm, born in 1895, making her only 17 (seventeen) years old at the time of their marriage. After their wedding, the couple spent time in Paris before embarking on their journey to America.

Titanic Voyage Details

Class: Second Class
Ticket Number: 237736
Fare: £30 1s 5d
Embarkation: Cherbourg

Nicholas and Adāl Naṣr Allāh were the only two passengers of Lebanese background traveling in second class on the Titanic. Their journey was meant to be the start of a new life together in America.

The Night of the Disaster

A Husband’s Sacrifice

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg, Nicholas Nasser demonstrated true love and bravery. He escorted his young wife to a lifeboat, knowing he would not be permitted to board due to the “women and children first” policy. In a heart-wrenching moment, the newlyweds bid farewell, never to see each other again.

Recovery and Identification

Nicholas Nasser did not survive the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett, identified as:

NO. 43. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 32. - HAIR, BLACK; ITALIAN TYPE. CLOTHING - Blue serge suit; white shirt with black spots; brown boots. EFFECTS - Watch and chain; purse with £7; belt round waist with £160 in gold. TATOO - On right forearm, lion with sword SECOND CLASS NICHOLAS NASSER

The body was forwarded to J. J. Cronin, an undertaker in New York, and buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery.

Legacy and Impact

A Widow’s Grief and New Beginnings

Adāl Nasser, pregnant at the time of the disaster, gave birth to a son on December 9, 1912. Tragically, the child lived only a few hours, compounding her loss. Despite these heartbreaks, Adāl later remarried and raised a family before her death in 1970.

The Nasser Family’s Enduring Presence

While Nicholas Nasser’s life was cut short, his family’s legacy continues:

The Castro Theatre in San Francisco remains a landmark
The Nasser family’s entrepreneurial spirit lives on through their businesses
Nicholas’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster

What personal effects were returned to Nicholas Nasser’s widow?

Among the items returned to Adāl were:

A watch and chain
A purse containing £7
A belt containing £160 in gold

These personal effects, particularly the significant amount of gold, suggest that Nicholas Nasser was preparing for a prosperous new life in America, making his loss all the more tragic.

Nicholas Nasser’s story, while brief, encapsulates the dreams, love, and sacrifice that defined many of the lives touched by the Titanic disaster. His journey from Lebanon to San Francisco, and his final voyage on the Titanic, remain a testament to the immigrant experience and the unpredictable nature of fate.