John Thomas Sr., John Thomas Jr., and Banoura Ayoub: Torn Apart

John Thomas Sr. had plenty of reasons to be excited about his trip from Columbus to his homeland of Thoum, Lebanon (at the time a part of Syria) in April of 1911. He was going to get his son John Jr. (Tannous), 15, and bring him to America. Mr. Thomas was a successful clothing manufacturer and planned to use his wealth to give John Jr. the best possible future, including hopes of him eventually attending The Ohio State University. John Sr.’s brother, Joseph Abdow, owned a dry goods store in Columbus, adding to family support in Ohio.

While in Lebanon, John Sr. convinced some of his extended family to immigrate to America. By the time he and John Jr. prepared to leave in late March 1912, other family members decided to travel with them. Many hoped to work at the steel mills in Youngstown. The group included Mr. Thomas’ brother-in-law, a few cousins, and his 14-year-old niece, Banoura Ayoub. The entire group boarded Titanic at Cherbourg as third-class passengers.

When Titanic struck the iceberg, John Sr. went on deck but was sent back to his cabin by a steward, who told him nothing was wrong. When both John Sr. and Banoura awoke half an hour later, there was no sign of John Jr. and panic filled the third-class cabins. Water was pouring into rooms and hallways, and everyone below decks knew that Titanic was sinking. John Sr. sent his niece to the Boat Deck, telling her he would stay below to look for his son.

When Banoura arrived on the Boat Deck, she saw John Jr. and told him that his father was looking for him below. There were two stairways leading below decks; John Jr. went down one stairway and his father came up the other. She told the father what had happened and John Sr. went below again in a tragic game of chase. Shortly after the two men disappeared, Banoura was lifted into the arms of a sailor and carried to Collapsible C, in which she escaped from the Ship. Collapsible C was the last lifeboat to safely depart.

Of all in the party, Banoura was the only one to survive. After landing in New York, she waited five days for her relatives to arrive, until another Lebanese passenger explained to her that she would have to continue her journey alone. Banoura arrived in Youngstown and went on to Columbus, where she stayed for a brief time. She married Michael Daher, another Lebanese immigrant, in September of 1912. Banoura lived in Michigan until she passed away in 1970.