Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund

Who was Master Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund?

Master Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund was a 9 (nine) year-old Swedish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on September 17, 1902, he was one of the youngest victims of the tragic sinking on April 15, 1912. Clarence was traveling with his family in third class when the disaster struck, ultimately claiming his life along with those of his father and two brothers.

Early Life and Family

A Swedish Family’s Journey

Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund was born into a Swedish family, the son of Carl and Selma Asplund. He was part of a large family group traveling on the Titanic, which included:

Carl Oscar Vilhelm Gustafsson Asplund (father)
Selma Augusta Emilia Asplund (mother)
Filip Oscar Asplund (brother)
Carl Edgar Asplund (brother)
Edvin Rojj Felix Asplund (brother)
Lillian Gertrud Asplund (sister)

The Asplund family’s decision to journey on the Titanic was likely part of a larger migration movement from Sweden to America during the early 20th century, as many Scandinavians sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Fateful Voyage

The Asplund family boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. As third-class passengers, they were assigned the following details:

Ticket Number: 347077
Fare: £31 7s (31 pounds, 7 shillings)

This fare, equivalent to about $150 at the time, covered the passage for the entire family of seven. Despite being in third class, the accommodations on the Titanic were considered superior to those on many other ships of the era.

The Night of the Sinking

A Young Life Lost

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, chaos ensued. The Asplund family, like many third-class passengers, faced significant challenges in reaching the lifeboats. Tragically, Clarence, at just 9 (nine) years old, did not survive the sinking.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Family Torn Apart

The sinking of the Titanic had a devastating impact on the Asplund family:

Clarence, along with his father Carl and brothers Filip Oscar and Carl Edgar, perished in the disaster.
His mother Selma, brother Edvin, and sister Lillian survived.

Clarence’s body, if recovered, was never identified. This was unfortunately common for many victims of the Titanic disaster, particularly those from third class.

Historical Significance

Representing the Youngest Victims

Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund’s story is particularly poignant as it represents the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. His age at the time of the sinking, 9 (nine) years old, serves as a stark reminder of the tragedy’s indiscriminate nature, affecting passengers of all ages and backgrounds.

Preserving the Memory

While Clarence’s life was cut tragically short, his story continues to be told as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic disaster. The survival of some of his family members, particularly his sister Lillian who lived until 2006, helped to keep the memory of Clarence and the Asplund family’s experience alive for future generations.

The young Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund, though only on this earth for a brief 9 (nine) years, remains an enduring symbol of the many lives cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.