El Paso Became a Safe Haven for Titanic’s Brave Survivors

On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail from England to New York City. Sadly the ship would never reach her destination as it would hit an iceberg shortly after midnight. Over 1,500 people would tragically lose their life but amazingly over 700 people would survive the accident. Amongst the survivors from the Titanic, a few people would end up living the rest of their lives right here in El Paso, Texas .

How many Titanic survivors have lived in El Paso?

According to the Titanica Encyclopedia, a site that looks into the history of all the passengers & crew members who were on the Titanic, there were a total of at least 3 survivors that would move to El Paso. 2 from 3rd class & 1 from 2nd class.

Beila Moor

Beila Moor (who was 29) was a 3rd class passenger who lived in Chicago, Illinois until the late 1940s. Here they would live in El Paso, Texas. Beila would pass away due to a heart attack on January 29th, 1958 at the old Hotel Dieu Hospital in El Paso (the first general hospital in El Paso). The hospital is no more, as it was demolished in 2003. Beila was buried at the B'Nai Zion Cemetery a day after her passing.

Meier Moor

Beila's son, Meier Moor (who was 7 at the time of the accident) was in 3rd class with his mother. He would change his name to Meyer when he came to America. He would live with his mom and move to El Paso with her, in hopes the warmer weather would not aggravate his arthritis. Meyer (Meier) would pass away on April 15, 1974. He would also be buried at B'Nai Zion Cemetery. His death was published by The El Paso Times after his passing & you can see the archived article here.

Adāl Naṣr Allāh

The last Titanic survivor was Mrs. Adāl Naṣr Allāh (17) who stayed in the 2nd class. She would live in Albuquerque, New Mexico until 1914 until moving to El Paso in 1917 along with her husband, Albert Shamaley; who later established the Shamaley Co. in 1922. And in case you're wondering, yes they are the SAME Shamaley family would give birth to Lee Shamaley, who would found the Shamaley dealerships.

Adal would change her name to Adele when she was staying in America. Her & her husband would live on Alameda Street for years & she would become a regular member of St Patrick's Cathedral. Her husband Albert be involved in a car crash on July 30, 1968. On August 18th, Albert would pass away from his injuries.

Adele would pass away from a heart attack on January 20, 1970 & would be buried in Evergreen Cemetery on Alameda. (Not too far from where the Moors are buried)

There would be another Titanic survivor that would live in Texas

Albert Edward James Horswill would be the final Titanic survivor to live in Texas. Despite living in Gary, Indiana with his family from the 20s to the 40s,working as a painter, a carpenter & also worked at a powder factory. He would retire in 1946 & move to Humble, Texas in the 50s. He would pass away at Keightley Nursing Home in Harris County on April 7th, 1962 & would be buried at Rosewood Memorial Park 3 days later.

In total: 4 Titanic survivors would end up moving to Texas; 3 in El Paso, 1 in Humble

It's unknown if any of the survivors met each other after the Titanic disaster, but what IS known is that they old lived long lives with families after living through one of the worst disasters of the 20th century. Even decades later, we still think of the Titanic & we're fascinated with the story of the sinking, but also...the brave survivors who were able to keep living.

Never forget the people who lost their lives during the Titanic disaster & the survivors who lived after.

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