Augusta Charlotta Lindblom

Who was Miss Augusta Charlotta Lindblom?

Miss Augusta Charlotta Lindblom was a 45 (forty-five) year-old English woman of Swedish descent who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. She was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to join her sister in America, but her fears and hesitations aboard the ship ultimately contributed to her untimely demise.

Early Life and Family

Augusta Charlotta Lindblom was born on January 20, 1867, in Kattnäs, Södermanland, Sweden. She was the daughter of Adolf Lindblom and Anna Maria Andersdotter (born 1828). Augusta grew up in a family with at least two siblings:

• Christina Albertina (born 1863)
• Karl Vilhelm (born 1873)

Raised in the picturesque region of Södermanland, Augusta remained unmarried throughout her life, dedicating her time to her family and personal pursuits.

The Decision to Emigrate

What prompted Augusta to leave Sweden?

Augusta’s decision to cross the Atlantic was largely influenced by her sister Christina, who had emigrated in 1895. Christina, married to fellow Swede Johan Anderson (born 1856), had settled in Shelton, Fairfield, Connecticut. The couple, though childless, had established a life in America and encouraged Augusta to join them.

On March 30, 1912, just days before her fateful journey, Augusta obtained her emigration certificate, setting the wheels in motion for her transatlantic voyage.

The Titanic Journey

Augusta boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. Her ticket, number 347073, cost £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings), a considerable sum for a third-class fare at the time.

Augusta’s Fears and Behavior Aboard

According to Swedish survivor Agnes Sandström, who became acquainted with Miss Lindblom during the voyage, Augusta exhibited notable anxiety:

Augusta was afraid of vaccination and “afraid of everything”.

This fear would tragically play a role in her fate during the ship’s final hours.

The Fateful Night

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Augusta’s fears seem to have overwhelmed her. Agnes Sandström reported that after the collision, Lindblom had locked herself in her cabin and gone to bed. This decision, likely driven by panic and her general fearfulness, ultimately sealed her fate.

Legacy and Remembrance

Augusta Charlotta Lindblom perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, at the age of 45 (forty-five). Her body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving her final resting place as the cold depths of the North Atlantic.

Family Aftermath

Augusta’s sister Christina, who had eagerly awaited her arrival in America, continued to live in Shelton, Connecticut. The 1940 census records show that Christina’s husband was working as a caretaker. The fate of Christina and her husband after 1940 remains uncertain, much like the lingering questions surrounding Augusta’s final moments aboard the Titanic.

Conflicting Records

Interestingly, there are some discrepancies in the historical records regarding Augusta:

• While believed to have resided in Katrinenäs, Södermanland, the White Star Line list showed her address as “Anna Gustafson, Kannua Karigatan 22, Stockholm”.
• The same list incorrectly identified her as “Mrs August Lindblom”, despite her being unmarried.

These conflicting details serve as a reminder of the challenges historians face when piecing together the stories of Titanic victims, especially those traveling in third class.

Augusta Charlotta Lindblom’s story, while tragic, offers a poignant glimpse into the human element of the Titanic disaster. Her fears, which seemed to have paralyzed her in the face of danger, underscore the very real and personal experiences of those aboard the ill-fated ship. Today, she is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters but as a woman whose life story reflects the hopes, fears, and dreams of many immigrants of her time.