Beatrice Irene Sandström

Who was Miss Beatrice Irene Sandström?

Miss Beatrice Irene Sandström was a Swedish-American Titanic survivor who, at just 1 (one) year old, became one of the youngest passengers to survive the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born in San Francisco, California, she lived a long life, eventually running a bakery in Sweden before passing away at the age of 85 (eighty-five) in 1995.

Early Life and Family

A Transatlantic Beginning

Beatrice Sandström was born on August 9, 1910, in San Francisco, California. Her parents were:

• Father: Hjalmar Leonard Sandström (born June 21, 1886, in Forserum, Småland)
• Mother: Agnes Charlotta Sandström (née Bengtsson; born November 8, 1887, in Lerbäck, Örebro County)

Both her parents had emigrated to the United States in 1906, with her father arriving on August 11 and her mother on May 5 of that year. Hjalmar initially worked as an ironworker before later becoming a merchant.

Siblings and Family Growth

Beatrice was not an only child:

• She had an older sister, Margit, born in Chicago, Illinois
• After returning to Sweden, three brothers were born:
  1. Vilhelm Leonard (February 24, 1913, in Hultsjö, Jönköpings County)
  2. Bengt Alfred (December 13, 1916, in Virserum, Kalmar County)
  3. Lars Magnus (September 9, 1924, also in Virserum)

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Historic Voyage

At just 1 (one) year old, Beatrice boarded the Titanic at Southampton with her family as third-class passengers. Their journey details include:

• Ticket Number: 9549
• Cabin: G6
• Ticket Price: £16 14s (£16 and 14 shillings)

Survival and Rescue

Beatrice was one of the fortunate survivors of the Titanic disaster. She was rescued in Lifeboat 13, making her one of the youngest passengers to survive the tragedy.

Life After the Titanic

Return to Sweden

Following the Titanic disaster, the Sandström family returned to Sweden. Hjalmar purchased a shop in Sund, near Forserum in Småland, establishing a new life for the family in their ancestral homeland.

Childhood Memories and Education

Interestingly, Beatrice had no personal recollection of the Titanic voyage. However, she once mentioned a curious childhood saying:

“Look, the moon is falling down”

This phrase is thought to possibly be a subconscious memory of the distress rockets fired as the Titanic sank.

During her school years, Beatrice’s classmates were unaware of her Titanic experience. When she did mention it, few believed her extraordinary tale.

Adult Life and Career

Later in life, Beatrice ran a bakery in Motala, Östergötland, Sweden. She managed this business until her retirement, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and connection to her community.

Legacy and Final Years

Beatrice Irene Sandström passed away on September 3, 1995, at the age of 85 (eighty-five). She was laid to rest at Klockrike Kyrkogård in Klockrike, Sweden.

As one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic, Beatrice’s life story serves as a remarkable link to one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. Her journey from a baby survivor to a successful bakery owner in Sweden is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

An Interesting Fact

Despite being one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic, Beatrice Sandström’s connection to the tragedy was not widely known or believed during her lifetime. This speaks to the extraordinary nature of her experience and the way in which the Titanic disaster has become almost mythical in public consciousness, sometimes overshadowing the very real lives of those who lived through it.