Carl Olof Jansson - Titanic Universe

Who was Carl Olof Jansson?

Carl Olof Jansson was a Swedish survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster who later settled in the United States. Born on May 17, 1890, in Korsberga, Sweden, Jansson was 21 (twenty-one) years old when he boarded the ill-fated ship. He was a third-class passenger who survived the sinking and went on to live a long life in America, becoming known in his local community as “Titanic Carl.”

Early Life and Journey to America

Swedish Roots and Socialist Leanings

Carl Olof Jansson was born into a large family in Västra Götaland, Sweden. His parents were Lars Alfred Jansson (1851-1938) and Charlotta Kristina Svensdotter (1856-1941). Jansson had six siblings, including:

Sven Bernhard (b. 1883)
Erik Waldemar (1884-1954)
Alfred Vitalis (1886-1971)
Hanna Elisabet (1894-1967)
Rebecka Alfreda (1898-1899)
Sven Ossian (1901-1971)

As a young man, Jansson became involved in Sweden’s Labour movement and identified as a socialist. He worked as a carpenter for the Eriksson brothers workshop in Örebro, Sweden, honing the skills that would serve him later in life.

Emigration and Titanic Voyage

What prompted Carl Olof Jansson to leave Sweden? His brother Erik had emigrated to the United States between 1903 and 1905, settling in Swedeburg, Nebraska. Carl decided to join him, but his journey was not straightforward:

He left Sweden without official permission, possibly to avoid conscription into the Swedish Army.
Jansson purchased tickets and legal papers in Copenhagen, Denmark.
He traveled with fellow socialist August Wennerström and others, reportedly reaching England aboard a cattle boat.

The group boarded the Titanic at Southampton, with Jansson traveling on ticket number 350034, which cost £7, 15s, 11d (equivalent to about £900 or $1,100 in 2023).

The Fateful Night: April 14-15, 1912

Jansson’s Titanic Experience

On the night of April 14, 1912, Carl Olof Jansson’s life changed forever. His account of the Titanic’s sinking provides a harrowing glimpse into the chaos and terror of that night:

Awakened by the collision, Jansson rushed to the deck without shoes.
He returned to his cabin for belongings but found it flooding.
Jansson described the scene: “I found my friends standing with lifebelts on and with terror painted on their faces. What should I do now, with no lifebelt and no shoes and no cap?”
He missed opportunities to board lifeboats 13 or 15, where some of his acquaintances escaped.
Jansson remained onboard with August Wennerström until the ship’s final moments.

Survival and Rescue

How did Carl Olof Jansson survive the sinking of the Titanic? His survival is a tale of strength, determination, and arguably, controversial actions:

He jumped into the freezing water as the ship went down.
Jansson swam to the waterlogged collapsible lifeboat A.
In a desperate fight for survival, he admitted to pushing others away from the raft to prevent it from sinking due to excess weight.
His physical attributes likely contributed to his survival: he was a strong swimmer, standing 6'2" with a sturdy frame.
Jansson was later pulled into lifeboat 14, suffering from frostbitten feet.

The survivor later reflected on the horrors he witnessed, describing the cries of those in the water as “plaintive cries that pierced the very marrow of my bones.”

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath and Settlement in America

After being rescued by the Carpathia, Jansson’s journey continued:

In New York, he received assistance from the Salvation Army, including $25 (equivalent to about $675 in 2023).
He was photographed with other Swedish survivors and wrote to his family detailing his experiences.
On April 24, 1912, Jansson traveled to Chicago, where he gave an interview to the Chicago American.
He initially settled in Swedeburg, Nebraska, with his brother, continuing his work as a carpenter and building contractor.

Assimilation and Military Service

Carl Olof Jansson embraced his new life in America:

He anglicized his name to Carl Johnson.
Settled in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska.
Ironically, despite fleeing Sweden to avoid military service, Johnson was enlisted in the US Army during World War I.
He served in Europe, once again crossing the Atlantic, and survived to return to Nebraska.

Family Life and Later Years

Johnson’s personal life took shape in the years following the Titanic disaster:

On May 3, 1923, he married Amanda Josefina Edith Simonsdotter, a fellow Swedish immigrant.
The couple had no children and made their home on Elm Street in Wahoo.
Johnson continued his work as a carpenter, appearing in census records throughout the years.

Legacy of a Titanic Survivor

“Titanic Carl” and His Story

Carl Olof Jansson’s Titanic experience left an indelible mark on his life and community:

He became known locally as “Titanic Carl.”
Jansson gave newspaper interviews and lectures about his experiences.
Later in life, he became reluctant to speak publicly due to ridicule over his thick Swedish accent when discussing the serious subject.

Final Years and Death

Carl Olof Jansson’s long life came to an end on March 23, 1978, when he passed away following a stroke at the age of 87 (eighty-seven). He was buried in Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo, Nebraska. His wife Edith followed him in death on December 9, 1978, and was buried alongside him.

Carl Olof Jansson’s story is a testament to the human will to survive and the lasting impact of the Titanic disaster on its survivors. From a young Swedish carpenter to