Mr Sebastiano Del Carlo

Who was Sebastiano Del Carlo?

Sebastiano Del Carlo was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old Italian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on March 11, 1883, in Capannori, Province of Lucca, Italy, Del Carlo’s journey on the Titanic would tragically be his last, as he became one of the many victims of the infamous maritime disaster.

Early Life and Background

Italian Roots

Sebastiano Del Carlo was born to Luigi del Carlo and Clemente di Pego in the picturesque region of Tuscany, Italy. Growing up in Capannori, a commune in the Province of Lucca, Del Carlo was likely influenced by the rich cultural heritage and traditions of his homeland.

A New Chapter: Marriage and Migration

Just two months before embarking on his fateful journey, Sebastiano Del Carlo married Argene Genovesi on February 20, 1912, in her hometown of Montecarlo, Lucca. This union marked the beginning of what the couple hoped would be a new life together in America.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Dream

Mr. Del Carlo and his newlywed wife, Argene Del Carlo, boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France, as second-class passengers. Their destination was California, where they aimed to start their new life together in the land of opportunity.

Ticket and Accommodations

The Del Carlos purchased ticket number SC/PARIS 2167 for their transatlantic voyage. The cost of their passage was £27 14s 5d, a significant sum at the time, reflecting their status as second-class passengers.

Fate During the Disaster

A Tragic Separation

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, the Del Carlos’ dreams of a new life in America were shattered. In the chaos that ensued, Sebastiano and Argene were separated.

Recovery and Identification

Sebastiano Del Carlo did not survive the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, marked as body number 295. The description of his remains provides a poignant snapshot of the man:

NO. 295. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 45. HAIR, FAIR. LIGHT MOUSTACHE. CLOTHING - Grey overcoat; dark tweed suit. EFFECTS - Gold watch and chain; pair of earrings, diamond and gold; gold chain locket; silver watch and chain; knife; pin; pocketbook and paper; $5 in notes; 37 francs. NAME - DEL CARLO SEBASTIANO

What happened to Sebastiano’s remains?

After recovery, Sebastiano Del Carlo’s body was forwarded to Boston on April 30, 1912. From there, it was shipped to Italy aboard the Cretic, departing on May 18. He was laid to rest in the Cimitero Comunale in Altopascio, bringing him back to his beloved Tuscan homeland.

Legacy and Remembrance

Personal Effects

The items found on Sebastiano’s person offer a glimpse into his life and the era:

Gold watch and chain
Diamond and gold earrings
Gold chain locket
Silver watch and chain
Knife
Pin
Pocketbook and papers
$5 in notes
37 francs

These personal effects, a mix of valuable jewelry and everyday items, paint a picture of a man who valued both practicality and sentimentality.

A Life Cut Short

Sebastiano Del Carlo’s life ended tragically at the age of 29 (twenty-nine), just as he was embarking on a new chapter with his wife. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster, and the dreams that sank with the ship on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.

In the annals of Titanic history, Sebastiano Del Carlo’s name stands as a testament to the diverse backgrounds of the ship’s passengers and the universal impact of the tragedy. His journey from the hills of Tuscany to the depths of the North Atlantic embodies the hopes, dreams, and ultimately, the heartbreak that define the Titanic’s enduring legacy.