Edvin Rojj Felix Asplund

Who was Master Edvin Rojj Felix Asplund?

Master Edvin Rojj Felix Asplund was a 3 (three) year-old survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on March 19, 1909, he was one of the youngest passengers to survive the sinking of the ill-fated ship. His story is a testament to both the tragedy and the miraculous survival of some of the Titanic’s youngest passengers.

Early Life and Family

Edvin Rojj Felix Asplund was born into a Swedish-American family. His parents were Carl Oscar Vilhelm Gustafsson Asplund and Selma Augusta Emilia Asplund. Young Felix, as he was commonly known, was part of a large family that included several siblings:

Carl Edgar Asplund
Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund
Filip Oscar Asplund
Lillian Gertrud Asplund

This family unit would face an unimaginable tragedy together on the Titanic, with not all members surviving the disaster.

The Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Ticket Details

The Asplund family boarded the Titanic at Southampton, embarking on what they hoped would be a journey to a new life in America. They were traveling as third-class passengers, reflecting the common dream of many immigrants seeking opportunities in the New World.

Ticket Number: 347077
Class: 3rd Class
Fare: £31 7s (£31 and 7 shillings)

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, the Asplund family faced a harrowing fight for survival. In the chaos and terror of that night, Felix’s fate would be decided.

Rescue and Survival

Miraculously, young Felix was rescued along with his mother, Selma, and his sister Lillian. They were among the fortunate few third-class passengers who managed to secure a place on a lifeboat.

Rescue Boat: Lifeboat 10

This lifeboat would carry them to safety, but at a terrible cost. Felix’s father and three brothers did not survive the sinking, leaving a profound impact on the surviving family members.

Life After the Titanic

Growing Up in America

After being rescued, Felix and his surviving family members were taken to New York City. Like many Titanic survivors, they had to rebuild their lives in the shadow of the tragedy they had experienced.

A Glimpse of Young Felix

A photograph of Felix taken when he was approximately 10 years old provides a poignant glimpse of the young survivor. This image serves as a reminder of the human faces behind the Titanic’s statistics, especially those of the children who lived through the disaster.

Later Life and Legacy

Felix Asplund lived a long life after his early brush with tragedy. He remained a bachelor throughout his life, perhaps influenced by his early experiences.

On March 1, 1983, Felix passed away in Shrewsbury at the age of 73 (seventy-three). His life spanned from the Edwardian era through two World Wars and into the late 20th century, carrying with him the remarkable story of survival from one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.

What was Felix Asplund’s lasting impact?

Felix Asplund’s survival and long life served as a living testament to the Titanic tragedy. As one of the youngest survivors, his story helped to personalize the disaster for later generations, reminding the world of the human cost of the sinking and the resilience of those who lived through it. His experience, along with that of other child survivors, continues to fascinate historians and the public, keeping the memory of the Titanic alive more than a century after its sinking.