Albert Johan Moss: Titanic Survivor and Seasoned Mariner

Albert Johan Moss was a Norwegian seaman and Titanic survivor whose life was marked by remarkable maritime experiences and a resilient spirit. Born on December 14, 1882, in Bergen, Norway, Moss’s 29-year-old (twenty-nine-year-old) journey aboard the ill-fated Titanic was just one chapter in his eventful nautical career.

Early Life and Maritime Career

Born to Edvard Wilhelm and Dorothea Moss, Albert grew up in a large family with several siblings. His early professional life began in an optician’s shop in Bergen, but the call of the sea soon beckoned. In June 1899, at the age of 16 (sixteen), Moss embarked on his maritime career, eventually attending navigation school and earning his ship officer’s certificate in June 1910.

The S.S. Hebe Incident

Moss’s seafaring life was marked by adventure even before his Titanic experience. In September 1911, he became first officer on the Norwegian cargo ship S.S. Hebe. On December 11, 1911, the Hebe met with disaster off the coast of Preston, Lancashire. The ship was crushed against cliffs, but fortunately, all crew members, including Moss, were rescued by a lifeboat from nearby Southport.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding and Purpose

Albert Moss boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. He was traveling with two fellow Norwegians, Knud Rommetvedt and Hans Birkeland. Their destination was Philadelphia, where they were to join the SS Norheim as crew members, with Moss slated to serve as first officer.

Survival and Conflicting Accounts

Moss survived the sinking of the Titanic, but his accounts of the escape varied, adding an element of mystery to his story. In some versions, he claimed to have leapt from the ship’s side and swum to a lifeboat. In others, he stated that he was selected to man a lifeboat due to his seafaring experience.

“Moss said he was standing among other passengers watching the women being placed in the boats, when the mate of the Titanic singled him out and asked whether he was a seafaring man. Receiving an affirmative answer, the officer commanded him to man one of the boats.” (Delaware County Daily Times, Chester, Delaware, April 24, 1912)

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

After the disaster, Moss spent two weeks in a New York hospital before continuing to Philadelphia to join the SS Norheim as planned. The Red Cross provided assistance:

From the Red Cross files: No. 320. (Norwegian) Ship’s officer, 29 years old, coming to take position on vessel bound for West Indies, lost clothing, navigation instruments and some money. He was given a sextant, which enabled him to take his intended work. ($48)

World War I and Further Maritime Adventures

Moss’s maritime career continued with more dramatic events. He was later appointed captain of the Norwegian steamer Nordkyn. During World War I, despite Norway’s neutrality, the Nordkyn was torpedoed off Morocco. Moss and his crew survived in lifeboats, reaching a Moroccan town after three days at sea.

Personal Life and Later Years

After returning safely to Bergen, Moss married his niece Ingrid, daughter of his elder brother Bernhard. They had three children: Gunvor, Egil, and Reidun. Moss took a decade-long break from seafaring life during this period.

Return to the Sea

In 1930, Moss returned to maritime work, engaging in coal transport from Spitsbergen to Germany. His career at sea continued through World War II, during which he captained the S/S Munin, participating in the Allied invasion of Normandy by transporting ammunition and supplies.

Retirement and Legacy

Albert Moss finally returned to Bergen in January 1946, where he lived a quiet life with his family until his death on July 4, 1973, at the age of 90 (ninety). Despite giving occasional interviews, Moss was reticent about his experiences at sea, including the Titanic disaster.

Albert Johan Moss’s life story is a testament to the resilience and adventurous spirit of early 20th-century mariners. From surviving the Titanic to navigating the perils of two World Wars, Moss’s experiences offer a unique glimpse into a life shaped by the sea.