Mr Uscher Pulner: A Young Life Lost on the Titanic

Who was Uscher Pulner?

Mr Uscher Pulner was a 16 (sixteen) year-old Russian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in Odessa, Russia around 1896, Pulner was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey that would tragically end his young life.

Early Life and Background

A Russian Youth with Dreams of America

Uscher Pulner was born into a Jewish family in Odessa, Russia. His parents were Louis and Celia (née Cirilikoff) Pulner. Growing up in a family of at least three brothers, Uscher’s life was shaped by the aspirations of a better future in America.

• Family members:
  • Parents: Louis and Celia Pulner
  • Brother: Rubin Pulner (born July 21, 1891)
  • Younger brother: 8 years old at the time of the Titanic disaster

Uscher’s older brother, Rubin, had already made the journey to America in 1909, working as a machinist and paving the way for his family to follow. This connection to the United States would play a crucial role in Uscher’s fateful decision to board the Titanic.

The Journey to a New Life

Why was Uscher Pulner on the Titanic?

Uscher Pulner boarded the Titanic with hopes of reuniting with his brother Rubin in New York and starting a new life. His journey began in Paris, where he had been living and working as a plumber. The young Pulner embarked on the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, holding a third-class ticket.

Titanic Journey Details:

Interestingly, Uscher may have been chaperoned by a family friend, Aaron Willer. Willer was a Paris-based tailor of Ukrainian origin who had been living in the USA since 1907 but working in Paris since 1910. The two traveled on sequential tickets, suggesting a planned journey together.

Fate During the Disaster

What Happened to Uscher Pulner on the Night of April 14, 1912?

Tragically, Uscher Pulner did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class. The young Russian perished in the early hours of April 15, 1912, at the tender age of 16 (sixteen).

Uscher Pulner died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

This stark statement encapsulates the tragic end of a young life full of potential, lost to the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Legacy and Impact

The loss of Uscher Pulner had a profound impact on his family. According to the Red Cross file for victims:

Red Cross file: No. 383. (Russian Jew) Machinist, 17 years of age, was lost, leaving a dependent widowed mother and a younger brother, 8 years old, in France. A son, 21 years old, resident here for three years, had sent the passage money, and was helping to support his mother and brother. Emergent help was given and the case referred to the English Committee. ($300)

This record provides insight into the devastating consequences of Uscher’s death:

• His mother was widowed and left with a young child in France
• His older brother in America had been supporting the family
• The family received emergency assistance from the Red Cross

A Family’s Dreams Shattered

Uscher’s journey on the Titanic represented more than just one young man’s ambitions. It was part of a larger family narrative of migration and hope for a better life. His brother Rubin, who had established himself in America, had sent money for Uscher’s passage, demonstrating the strong familial bonds and the collective dream of reuniting in the New World.

The loss of Uscher not only ended a young life but also dealt a severe blow to his family’s aspirations and financial stability. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic.

Remembering Uscher Pulner

While Uscher Pulner’s life was cut tragically short, his story lives on as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic’s third-class passengers. It serves as a testament to the dreams and aspirations of countless immigrants who risked everything for a chance at a better life, only to have those dreams dashed by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.