Mr Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī

Who was Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī?

Mr Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī, also known as Tannous Betros, was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Syrian shoemaker who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1891 in Zaghartā, al Shamal, Syria (now Lebanon), Tannūs was a married man seeking a better life in America when he boarded the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Background

A Syrian Family Man

Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī was born into a world of political unrest and uncertainty. He lived in Ihdin, Zaghartā, with his wife Minnah and their three young children - two sons and a daughter. As a shoemaker by trade, Tannūs worked hard to provide for his family amidst challenging circumstances.

Why Did Tannūs Leave Lebanon?

“He reportedly fled Lebanon due to the ongoing Turkish-Ottoman rule that had caused trouble for him and his village.”

The oppressive Turkish-Ottoman rule in Lebanon during the early 20th century created significant hardships for many, including Tannūs and his community. This political climate was a driving factor in his decision to seek a new life across the Atlantic.

The Journey to Titanic

A Family’s Heartbreaking Separation

Tannūs’s journey to America began with his entire family. They traveled from Beirut to Marseille, France, with the intention of migrating together. However, fate had other plans:

His three children were denied entry into France due to illness
Minnah, his wife, was forced to return to Beirut with the children
Tannūs continued alone to Cherbourg to board the Titanic

This separation would prove to be permanent, as Tannūs would never see his family again.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Tannūs boarded the Titanic as a third-class passenger in Cherbourg, France. His ticket, number 2648, cost him £7 4s 7d - a significant sum for a working-class man of his time.

Companions on the Voyage

Tannūs was not alone in his journey. He is believed to have been traveling with fellow Syrians:

Hannā Mikā’īl Māmā
Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad
Members of the Nakid family

These connections likely provided some comfort during the daunting transatlantic voyage.

The Fateful Night

What Happened to Tannūs During the Sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Tannūs found himself in a desperate situation. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were slim. Despite his youth and likely physical fitness as a working man, Tannūs was unable to secure a place on a lifeboat.

The Aftermath

Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī became one of the many victims of the Titanic disaster. His body, if recovered from the icy Atlantic waters, was never identified. This lack of closure would have added to the grief of his family back in Lebanon.

Legacy and Family Fate

A Double Tragedy

In a cruel twist of fate, Tannūs’s daughter is believed to have died within weeks of her father’s death. This double loss must have been devastating for Minnah and her remaining children.

What Became of Tannūs’s Family?

The fate of Tannūs’s surviving family remains shrouded in mystery. Historical records indicate:

Minnah, his widow, is not thought to have remarried
The ultimate fate of his two sons is unknown

This lack of information leaves us to wonder about the long-term impact of the Titanic disaster on this Syrian family, one of many torn apart by the tragedy.

Remembering Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī

Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. A young father and husband, seeking a better life for his family, instead became part of one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies. His journey from the shores of Lebanon to the depths of the North Atlantic encapsulates the dreams, struggles, and ultimate heartbreak shared by many immigrants of his time.