Anna Sofia Nysten: A Swedish Survivor of the Titanic

Who was Anna Sofia Nysten?

Anna Sofia Nysten was a 22-year-old Swedish woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on January 22, 1890, in Västra Eneby, Östergötland, Sweden, Anna’s life would be forever changed by her experience on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Her survival story and subsequent life in America offer a fascinating glimpse into the experiences of Titanic survivors and early 20th-century immigrants.

Early Life and Family

Anna was born into a farming family in rural Sweden. Her parents were:

• Father: Samuel August Nyström (1848-1941), a farmer
• Mother: Maria Sofia Nilsdotter (born April 24, 1863)

Anna had four younger siblings:

• Elsa Maria (born 1891)
• August Mauritz (born 1893)
• Amanda Lovisa (born 1896)
• Anders Helge (born 1897)

Additionally, Anna had four half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage to Anna Lovisa Danielsson (1845-1889):

• Clara
• Carl Niklas (born 1874)
• Samuel Gustaf (born 1876)
• Gunnar

The family lived on Farsbro Farm in Kisa, Östergötland, where Anna spent her early years.

Journey to America and the Titanic

What prompted Anna to leave Sweden?

Anna’s journey to America was inspired by a family friend, Ernst Danbom, who had lived in the United States with his wife and son. Encouraged by their experiences, Anna decided to embark on a new life across the Atlantic. She planned to join her half-sister Clara in Passaic, New Jersey.

Who were Anna’s travel companions?

Anna was not traveling alone. Her group included:

• Ernst Danbom and his family
• Anders Johan Andersson, his wife, and their five children

Interestingly, the wives of Ernst Danbom and Anders Andersson, Anna and Alfrida respectively, were sisters.

What were the details of Anna’s Titanic ticket?

• Class: Third Class
• Ticket number: 347081
• Cost: £7, 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings)
• Embarked: Southampton on April 10, 1912

The Fateful Night: April 14-15, 1912

How did Anna experience the Titanic’s collision with the iceberg?

In a 1932 interview with the Des Moines Register, Anna vividly recalled the moment of impact:

“We had gone to bed, but I’m not sure I was asleep. The first thing I distinctly remember was a terrific jar and a sound such as one hears when the bottom of an automobile scrapes the ground as you drive in a deep-rutted road. That was the ship striking the iceberg.”

What actions did Anna take after the collision?

Upon realizing the danger, Anna:

1. Calmly dressed
2. Grabbed a basket containing food and a few items of clothing
3. Made her way to the open decks
4. Encountered the Danbom and Andersson families on deck

How did Anna survive the sinking?

Anna managed to secure a place in lifeboat 13, becoming the only survivor from her travel group. From her vantage point in the lifeboat, she witnessed the chaos on the Titanic’s decks and heard large cracking noises as the ship went down.

Anna later expressed gratitude for the calm sea conditions, fearing that rough waters could have swamped their lifeboat.

Rescue and Arrival in New York

What was Anna’s experience on the Carpathia?

Anna and her fellow survivors were picked up by the RMS Carpathia at dawn. She recalled:

“Just at dawn we sighted the Carpathia, a German (sic) boat, which picked us up. They were awfully good to us, giving us their first class cabins. Two boys, who had been swimming since the Titanic went down also were picked up and taken to the ship’s hospital. Both of them lived, although no-one thought they would.”

What happened upon Anna’s arrival in New York?

1. The Woman’s Relief Committee provided her with $25.
2. She cabled her family in Sweden to inform them of her survival.
3. A woman offered to buy Anna’s basket from the Titanic for $100, which Anna refused.
4. The basket was later stolen, possibly by souvenir hunters.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience affect Anna?

Anna reportedly suffered from nightmares following her ordeal. However, by 1937, she stated in an interview that she was no longer afflicted by them.

Where did Anna settle in America?

• Remained in New York until 1915
• Moved to Iowa in 1915, initially to Boone County
• Eventually settled in Des Moines, Iowa

Did Anna return to Sweden?

Yes, Anna made two return trips to Sweden during her lifetime. Her friends thought she was “crazy” for doing so, given her Titanic experience. During one such voyage in 1953, Anna experienced a panic attack when the ship stopped mid-ocean, bringing back memories of the Titanic.

Marriage and Family Life

Anna married Frans Otto Arvid Gustafsson on October 20, 1920, in Des Moines. Frans was also Swedish and had immigrated to the USA in 1907. He worked as an automobile mechanic.

Their children were:

1. Linnea Arvida Sofia (born September 23, 1919)
2. Arvid Harry (born November 10, 1920, died July 29, 1924)
3. Engnar William (born September 15, 1925, died 1994)
4. Arthur Sigvard (born August 9, 1928, died 2007)

Did Anna’s marriage face challenges?

Yes, on September 5, 1946, the Des Moines Tribune reported that Anna had filed for divorce, citing:

• Cruel and inhuman treatment
• Her husband’s frequent drunkenness and bad temper
• Financial struggles

Frans contested the divorce, claiming Anna was quarrelsome and had physically abused him.

Later Years and Legacy

How