Edvard Bengtsson Lindell

Who was Mr Edvard Bengtsson Lindell?

Mr Edvard Bengtsson Lindell was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old Swedish general labourer and third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on January 31, 1876, in Mörarp, Malmöhus County, Sweden, Lindell’s life tragically ended during the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912. He was known for his dramatic final moments on Collapsible Boat A and his heartbreaking attempt to save his wife, Elin Gerda.

Early Life and Family

Swedish Roots

Edvard Bengtsson Lindell was born into a Swedish family with deep roots in Mörarp. His parents were:

Father: Bengt Magnus Nilsson (born May 9, 1830, died March 14, 1878)
Mother: Botilla Johansdotter (born August 13, 1834, died October 28, 1911)

The couple married on April 12, 1856, and Edvard was one of six children born to them.

Siblings

Edvard grew up in a large family, with five siblings, all born in Mörarp:

Johanna (born March 19, 1861)
Christina (born November 8, 1863, died November 1, 1876)
Maria (born April 19, 1867)
Nils (born May 28, 1870)
Frithiof (born March 3, 1873)

Career and Personal Life

Employment at Ramlösa Shoe Factory

Prior to his fateful journey on the Titanic, Edvard had established himself as a reliable employee at the Ramlösa Shoe Factory. He had been working there for four years, demonstrating his commitment to his craft and his ability to maintain steady employment.

Residence

Lindell made his home at Pålstorp 5, Skogsgatan 7, in Helsingborg, Skåne, Sweden. This location in the southern part of Sweden would have provided him with access to both urban amenities and the beautiful Swedish countryside.

Marriage to Elin Gerda

On October 21, 1905, Edvard married Elin Gerda, forming a partnership that would face the ultimate test during the Titanic disaster. Their union, though tragically cut short, was evidently strong enough for them to embark on a life-changing journey together.

The Titanic Journey

Emigration Plans

In early 1912, Edvard and Elin Gerda made the momentous decision to emigrate to the United States. They obtained their emigration certificate on April 4, 1912, just days before their planned departure. This decision reflected the hopes and dreams of many Europeans seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic.

Boarding the Titanic

The couple boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Their ticket number was 349910, and they paid a fare of £15 11s, equivalent to about £1,800 in today’s currency. Their final destination was to be the home of A. Petterson at 10 Smith St. Hartford, Connecticut.

The Tragic Night of April 14-15, 1912

Collision and Initial Response

After the Titanic’s collision with the iceberg on April 14, 1912, Edvard and Elin Gerda found themselves in the company of fellow Swedes August Wennerström and Gunnar Tenglin. As the situation became dire, the group faced the grim reality of the sinking ship together.

Struggle for Survival

As the Titanic’s stern rose higher, Lindell and his companions made a desperate attempt to climb the increasingly steep deck. When it became too steep to continue, they clasped hands and slid back down, finding themselves near Collapsible Boat A.

Separation from Elin Gerda

In the chaos that ensued after the ship sank, Edvard managed to climb into Collapsible Boat A along with Wennerström. In a heart-wrenching moment, Wennerström spotted Mrs. Lindell in the water and grabbed her hand. However, weakened by the freezing temperatures, he was unable to pull her to safety, and she tragically drifted away.

Edvard’s Final Hours

According to Wennerström’s account, the trauma of the night had a visible effect on Edvard. In a haunting detail, Wennerström reported that “Edvard’s hair turned all gray in lesser time than 30 minutes.” This rapid graying, while possibly exaggerated, illustrates the extreme stress and anguish Lindell experienced.

Holding onto his wife’s wedding ring, a final connection to Elin Gerda, Edvard succumbed to the cold and died in the boat. In a final tragic turn, he lost hold of the ring before passing away.

Legacy and Remembrance

Neither Edvard’s nor Elin Gerda’s bodies were ever recovered. It is believed that Edvard’s body was likely lowered overboard from the unstable Collapsible Boat A to prevent it from capsizing, a common but heartbreaking practice in such dire circumstances.

The story of Edvard Bengtsson Lindell serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. His final moments, marked by both heroism in trying to save his wife and the visible toll of his grief, encapsulate the personal tragedies that unfolded that fateful night. Today, Edvard and Elin Gerda Lindell are remembered as two of the many lives cut short by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.