Dagmar Jenny Ingeborg Bryhl

Who was Miss Dagmar Jenny Ingeborg Bryhl?

Miss Dagmar Jenny Ingeborg Bryhl was a 20-year-old Swedish passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 2, 1891, in Skara Stadsförsamling, Sweden, she was traveling to America with her brother and fiancé when tragedy struck. Dagmar’s survival and subsequent experiences offer a poignant glimpse into the aftermath of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family

Dagmar Jenny Ingeborg Bryhl was born into a prominent Swedish family. Her father, Oskar Gustaf Svendén, was a lawyer, and her mother was Ida Jenny (née Gustafsson) Svendén. Growing up in Skara, a town in Västra Götaland County, Dagmar likely enjoyed a comfortable upbringing befitting her father’s professional status.

The Fateful Journey

Embarking on the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Dagmar boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, England. She was accompanied by:

Her brother (or half-brother), Kurt Arnold Gottfrid Bryhl
Her fiancé, Ingvar Enander

The trio was traveling as second-class passengers, with Dagmar’s ticket number being 236853. They paid £26 for their passage, a considerable sum at the time. Their destination was Rockford, Illinois, where they planned to stay with their uncle, Oscar Lustig, at 511 Pearl Street.

What was the purpose of their journey?

While Dagmar and Ingvar were planning a visit, Kurt had intentions of emigrating to America permanently. He acted as an interpreter for the group during their voyage.

The Night of the Disaster

When the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Dagmar and her companions made their way to the Boat Deck. In the chaos and urgency of the moment, Dagmar had forgotten to put on her shoes. Her fiancé, Ingvar, thoughtfully brought her shoes when he saw her in red slippers.

A Dramatic Escape

The group, accompanied by fellow passenger Henrik Kvillner, went to the port side of the boat deck. There, several notable events occurred:

Dagmar put on her proper shoes
Ingvar tucked her slippers into his Ulster pocket
Dagmar boarded a lifeboat, likely Lifeboat 12
As the boat lowered, Dagmar noticed it was less than half full
Looking up, she saw Ingvar, Kurt, and Henrik standing on the deck wearing lifebelts

This haunting image of her loved ones on the doomed ship would stay with Dagmar for years to come.

Aftermath and Recovery

Arrival in New York

Upon reaching New York, Dagmar, traumatized and alone, wrote a heart-wrenching letter to her uncle in Rockford. Here’s an excerpt:

“Dearest Uncle,
As uncle has, of course, read in the newspaper, the Titanic has gone down. I don’t know whether my fiancé or my brother, Kurt, are saved. Evidently they are not for most of the men went under. I was saved and have been taken in charge by good people.
I am at a hospital, but am not sick, although very feeble. I have lost everything. I have no clothes, and so cannot get up, but must lay in bed for present.
I would have been glad if I had been permitted to die, because life no longer has any value for me since I lost my beloved. I feel myself so dreadfully alone in this land…”

Reunion and Return

Unbeknownst to Dagmar, her uncle was already in New York searching for her. After some confusion and multiple telegrams, they were finally reunited. They traveled to Chicago (possibly Rockford) on April 24, 1912.

However, Dagmar’s emotional state was fragile. She soon decided to return to Sweden, unable to cope with the loss of her fiancé and brother. The White Star Line, perhaps in a gesture of goodwill, paid for her ticket on the Adriatic, which arrived in Liverpool on May 12, 1912.

Life After the Titanic

Psychological Impact

According to the Liverpool Post, Dagmar appeared to have recovered physically but would occasionally fall into trances, triggered by memories of the tragedy. This detail offers insight into the long-lasting psychological effects experienced by Titanic survivors.

A New Chapter

Despite the trauma, Dagmar eventually rebuilt her life:

She returned to Sweden
Married Eric Holmberg, a teacher
Settled in Kungsälv, Sweden

Final Years

Dagmar Jenny Ingeborg Bryhl Holmberg passed away on August 4, 1969, at the age of 77 (seventy-seven). She is buried in Bergsalen cemetery, Kungsälv, Sweden, in plot 3187.

Dagmar’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of the Titanic disaster. Her journey from a young woman filled with hope for a new life in America to a sole survivor grappling with immense loss encapsulates the tragedy that befell so many on that fateful night in April 1912.