This April 15, 2026 marks 114 years since the sinking of the Titanic, one of the most iconic shipwrecks in modern history.
The tragedy occurred in 1912 when the British liner, then considered the largest and most advanced of its time, collided with an iceberg on the night of April 14 at 11:40 p.m. (local time). The ship sank two hours and 40 minutes later, at 2:20 a.m. on April 15.
Among the over 1,500 people who lost their lives was the only Mexican passenger: Manuel Uruchurtu Ramírez. More than a century after the tragedy, we remember who he was and how he ended up aboard the Titanic.
Manuel Uruchurtu: The Mexican Aboard the Titanic
Manuel Uruchurtu Ramírez, born on June 27, 1872, in Hermosillo, Sonora, hailed from a wealthy family. He trained as a lawyer and became a prominent figure in the legal and political arenas during the Porfirio Díaz era. After moving to Mexico City, he married Gertrudis Caraza y Landero and fathered seven children. Over the years, he was elected a federal deputy on four different occasions.
In 1912, Uruchurtu embarked on a journey to Europe, initially planning to return to Mexico from France. However, a last-minute change in plans led to him exchanging his ticket for a spot on the Titanic, propelling him toward the United States before returning home.
The Sinking and Versions of His Death
The Titanic set sail for New York, and the collision with the iceberg triggered chaos, underscored by the insufficient number of lifeboats for all passengers. Sadly, Uruchurtu perished during the shipwreck. Two weeks after the tragedy, his wife received a telegram from the Mexican Telegraph Company stating that his body had not been recovered.
Accounts suggest that Uruchurtu bravely sacrificed his place in a lifeboat for an English woman, identified as Elizabeth Ramell Nye, and her daughter. He reportedly requested that she inform his family in Mexico of his fate. However, this narrative lacks conclusive documentary evidence. In an interview with the BBC, Uruchurtu’s relatives, including his great-grandson Antonio Uruchurtu, acknowledged that while some testimonies support this story, there is no direct confirmation to validate it.