Carl Peter Widegren - Titanic Universe

Who was Carl Peter Widegren?

Mr. Carl Peter Widegren was a Swedish seaman and Titanic passenger who tragically perished in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. Born on March 6, 1861 in Högsrums Parish, Kalmar County, Sweden, Widegren lived a life marked by both seafaring adventures and personal tragedies before his untimely death at the age of 51 (fifty-one) aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Early Life and Maritime Career

A Life at Sea

Carl Peter Widegren’s connection to the sea began early in his life. In 1882, at the age of 21 (twenty-one), he registered with the Sailors’ Institute in Sweden, marking the official start of his maritime career. This decision would shape the course of his life for decades to come.

Family and Personal Tragedies

Widegren’s personal life was marked by a series of heartbreaking losses:

On December 29, 1885, he married Paulina Gustafva Olsdotter.
The couple had two sons:
1. Carl Gotthard Ivar (born May 21, 1887)
2. Gustaf Gunnar Hugo (born August 6, 1888)
Tragedy struck when Gustaf died on August 29, 1888, at just three weeks old.
Less than a year later, on April 29, 1889, Paulina also passed away.
Carl Gotthard Ivar, Widegren’s firstborn, died on January 7, 1900, at the age of 12 (twelve).

These losses left Widegren a widower and childless by the turn of the century, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in the late 19th century.

A New Chapter in England

Second Marriage and New Family

Seeking a fresh start, Widegren moved to England sometime between 1900 and 1903. It was there that he found love again:

In late 1903, he married Olga Edith Sutherland (née Söderlund) in North Shields, Northumberland.
On June 10, 1905, the couple welcomed a son, Charles Edward, born in Tynemouth, England.

This new family represented a chance for Widegren to rebuild his life after the tragedies of his past.

Transatlantic Voyages

First Journey to America

The Widegren family’s first taste of transatlantic travel came in 1906:

On September 19, 1906, Carl, Edith, and young Charles departed Liverpool aboard the steamer Majestic.
They traveled as steerage (third-class) passengers.
Their destination was Brooklyn, New York, where they arrived on September 26, 1906.

This journey marked the beginning of the family’s connection to America, a link that would ultimately lead to Widegren’s fateful voyage on the Titanic.

Return to Sweden and Final Voyage

A Complicated Family Life

Widegren’s life took another turn when he returned to Sweden in November 1909. His family situation had become complex:

He informed the local vicar of his civil marriage in England and the birth of his son.
However, he also stated that his wife was staying in America.
By 1910, Widegren was listed as a married former seaman in Algutsrum’s parish, but his wife did not live with him.

The Titanic Journey

In 1912, at the age of 51 (fifty-one), Carl Peter Widegren embarked on what would be his final voyage:

He left Gothenburg, Sweden, in early April 1912.
His journey took him first to Hull, England, and then to Southampton.
In Southampton, he boarded the RMS Titanic as a third-class passenger.
His ticket number was 347064, and he paid £7 15s for his passage.

The Tragic End and Aftermath

Loss and Compensation

Carl Peter Widegren did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. In the wake of the disaster:

The Mansion House Fund paid 1329.33 Kr (£73) to Widegren’s son on January 23, 1913.
Additional damage claims of 3188.50 Kr (£175) were paid on June 10, 1914.
These funds were held in trust by Mr. Carlsson, young Charles’ guardian.

Edith’s Remarriage

In a surprising turn of events, Widegren’s widow, Edith, remarried just over two months after the Titanic disaster:

On June 30, 1912, she wed Arvid Anders Lybäck in Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Lybäck was a fellow Swede and a widower with several children.
Edith passed away in 1935 and was buried in Martindale Cemetery, New York.

Legacy: The Story of Charles Widegren

The story of Carl Peter Widegren didn’t end with his death. His son, Charles, went on to lead an interesting life:

Charles returned to Massachusetts in October 1912 with his mother.
He later moved to New York, working as a carpenter.
Eventually, Charles became a writer of fiction under the pen name Ed Lybeck.
In 1933, he married Ruth Augusta Larsson and raised a family.
Charles settled in Los Angeles, where he passed away on June 26, 1965.

Carl Peter Widegren’s life, marked by both tragedy and resilience, serves as a poignant reminder of the many personal stories intertwined with the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage. His journey from Swedish seaman to Titanic victim encapsulates the dreams, struggles, and ultimate misfortune of many who sought a better life across the Atlantic in the early 20th century.