Who was Mrs Anna De Messemaeker?

Mrs Anna De Messemaeker was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old Belgian passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. She was traveling with her new husband, Guillaume Joseph De Messemaeker, as a third-class passenger when the tragedy struck. Despite her survival, the traumatic experience had a profound impact on her life, eventually leading to her untimely death at the age of 42 (forty-two).

Early Life and Background

Anna De Messemaeker was born on October 20, 1875, in Belgium. While details about her early life are limited, we know that by 1912, she had married Guillaume Joseph De Messemaeker and was embarking on a new chapter in her life.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Adventure

In April 1912, Anna and her husband Guillaume boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, England. They were traveling as third-class passengers, with their sights set on a new life in America.

Key details of their journey:

• Ticket Number: 345572
• Fare: £17 8s (17 pounds, 8 shillings)
• Class: Third Class
• Embarkation Point: Southampton

Destination and Purpose

The couple’s ultimate destination was near Tampico, Montana, where Guillaume had a home. This journey represented not just a transatlantic crossing, but the beginning of Anna’s new life in America with her husband.

The Fateful Night

How Did Anna Survive the Titanic Disaster?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Anna found herself in a fight for survival. Fortunately, she was able to secure a place in Lifeboat 13, which was successfully launched from the starboard side of the ship.

The Heartbreaking Separation

In the chaos of the evacuation, Anna was separated from her husband Guillaume. The moments of uncertainty and fear as she left the sinking ship, unsure of her husband’s fate, would have a lasting impact on her mental health.

Life After the Titanic

Reunification and Trauma

Although Anna survived the sinking, the experience left deep emotional scars. The anxiety of believing she had lost her husband during those terrifying hours proved to be a trauma from which she never fully recovered.

Mental Health Struggles

The aftermath of the Titanic disaster took a severe toll on Anna’s mental wellbeing. Unable to cope with the lingering effects of the trauma, she was eventually admitted to a mental hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Anna’s Final Years

A Tragic End

Sadly, Anna De Messemaeker’s life was cut short. She passed away on April 30, 1918, at the age of 42 (forty-two), in the Rochester mental hospital where she had been receiving treatment.

Final Resting Place

Anna was laid to rest at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, Montana. Her grave can be found in Block 9999, Lot 482, a quiet testament to a life marked by both adventure and tragedy.

Legacy of a Titanic Survivor

Anna De Messemaeker’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impact the Titanic disaster had on its survivors. While she physically survived the sinking, the emotional and psychological toll of that night in April 1912 haunted her for the remainder of her life.

Her experience highlights the often-overlooked aspect of survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress that many Titanic survivors grappled with long after they were rescued. Anna’s tragic end underscores the fact that survival was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey for many of those who lived through that fateful night.