August Ferdinand Nilsson

Who was Mr August Ferdinand Nilsson?

Mr August Ferdinand Nilsson was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Swedish general labourer who tragically perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Östra Sallerup, Malmöhus (Skåne), Sweden, Nilsson was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to St Paul, Minnesota when his life was cut short by the infamous maritime disaster.

Early Life and Family

Swedish Roots

August Ferdinand Nilsson was born on October 18, 1890, in the picturesque region of Östra Sallerup, Malmöhus (now part of Skåne County) in southern Sweden. He came from a working-class family, with his father Johan Ole Nilsson (born 1860) earning a living as a miller. His mother, Anna Jönsson (born 1867), helped raise August and his two brothers:

• Oskar Bernhard (born 1888)
• Nils (born 1896)

A Miller’s Son

Growing up in Årröd, a small locality within Östra Sallerup, August followed in his father’s footsteps. He worked as a miller’s hand, assisting his father in the family trade. This early exposure to hard work would have prepared him for the challenges of seeking a new life across the Atlantic.

The Journey to a New Life

Why was August Ferdinand Nilsson on the Titanic?

Like many European immigrants of his time, August Ferdinand Nilsson saw America as a land of opportunity. He had set his sights on St Paul, Minnesota, a growing city that attracted many Scandinavian immigrants in the early 20th century.

Traveling Companions

Nilsson was not alone in his journey. He traveled with a fellow Östra Sallerup resident, Olof Wendel. Their shared background likely provided comfort as they embarked on this life-changing voyage.

The Fateful Ticket

The two men made their way to Southampton, England, via Copenhagen, Denmark. It’s believed they purchased their Titanic tickets in Copenhagen. August’s ticket details were as follows:

The Titanic Tragedy

What happened to August Ferdinand Nilsson on the Titanic?

On April 10, 1912, August Ferdinand Nilsson boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, full of hope for his new life in America. Tragically, like so many others, he would never reach his destination. When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Nilsson, along with his traveling companion Olof Wendel, were among the many third-class passengers who perished in the disaster.

The Aftermath

The bodies of August Ferdinand Nilsson and Olof Wendel were never identified, if they were recovered at all. This lack of closure was a common and heartbreaking reality for many families of Titanic victims.

Legacy and Remembrance

Financial Compensation

In the wake of the disaster, the Mansion House Fund, established to aid Titanic survivors and victims’ families, provided some financial relief to August’s bereaved mother:

• Initial payment: 875.52 Kr (£48)
• Additional damage claims: 1822 Kr (£100) received on June 13, 1914

While no amount of money could compensate for the loss of a son, these payments would have helped ease some of the financial burden on the family, especially considering August’s father had passed away earlier in 1912.

A Life Cut Short

August Ferdinand Nilsson’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. At just 21 years old, he represented the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants seeking a better life. His journey, which began in the mills of Östra Sallerup and ended in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, embodies the tragic intersection of personal ambition and historical catastrophe that the Titanic has come to symbolize.