Eino William Lindqvist

Who was Mr Eino William Lindqvist?

Mr Eino William Lindqvist was a 20-year-old Finnish survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on February 13, 1892, in Salo, Åbo, Finland, Lindqvist embarked on a journey that would not only change his life but also make him a part of one of the most infamous maritime tragedies in history.

Early Life and Family

Eino Lindqvist was born to Karl August and Elisabet (née Vik) Lindqvist in 1892. He grew up in Dalsbruk (Taalintehdas), Dragsfjärd (Kimito Island), Egentliga Finland, Finland. Lindqvist was of medium height and build, with distinguishing features including dark brown eyes and striking red hair.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Eino Lindqvist board the Titanic?

Eino Lindqvist boarded the Titanic at Southampton with the intention of traveling to Monessen, Pennsylvania. This was to be his first visit to America, marking a significant milestone in his life. He was not alone on this journey; accompanying him were his sister Helga Hirvonen, his niece Hildur, and August Abrahamsson.

What was Eino’s experience on the Titanic?

As a single man and a third-class passenger, Eino was placed in the forward parts of the ship. His Titanic experience was marked by several notable events:

Ticket number: 3101285
Ticket price: £6 7s (approximately £18 in today’s currency)
Class: 3rd Class

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Eino’s life took a dramatic turn. After the collision with the iceberg:

August Abrahamsson alerted Eino to the danger, though Eino initially disbelieved it.
They went to the deck and saw ice scattered about.
Upon returning to their cabins, they found water beginning to enter and quickly moved towards the stern compartments.
Eino claimed to have passed a bar area, where he drank a glass of whiskey and pocketed a bottle.
He found his sister and moved with her to the upper deck.

How did Eino survive the sinking?

Eino’s account of his survival is somewhat controversial. He claimed to have placed his sister in lifeboat 15 but was refused entry himself. According to his story, he had to throw himself into the water and survived on a raft. However, historians suggest that this description doesn’t match any known lifeboat story, and it’s more likely that he managed to secure a place in the same boat as his sister, where the majority of occupants were men.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Eino’s life?

After arriving in New York, Eino was met by his brother-in-law, Alexander Hirvonen, and followed the Hirvonens to Monessen. His post-Titanic life was marked by frequent moves and various jobs:

A few weeks after the disaster, he reportedly got into a fist fight with other immigrants.
In 1915, he moved to Syracuse, New York.
By 1917, he was working for Hammond Steel.
In the 1920s, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
In 1930, at age 38, he was living in Lysander township, New York, working as a laborer at a plough factory.
By 1940, at age 48, he was residing at Cayuga County Home in Sennett Town, New York.

Personal Life and Legacy

Eino Lindqvist never married, but he did father an out-of-wedlock son, also named Eino, in Finland. Tragically, he later lost contact with his son. His life after the Titanic was characterized by transience and personal struggles, including issues with vagrancy and mental illness.

Eino William Lindqvist passed away on October 31, 1958, in Napa, California, at the age of 66 (sixty-six). He is buried in an unmarked grave in Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, California, in Potters Field (Block 176, grave 316).

Eino Lindqvist’s Place in Titanic History

While not as well-known as some Titanic survivors, Eino Lindqvist’s story provides a poignant glimpse into the lives of third-class passengers who survived the disaster. His account, though potentially embellished, adds to the tapestry of narratives that help us understand the human experience of that tragic night. Lindqvist’s post-Titanic life, marked by constant movement and personal challenges, serves as a reminder that survival was just the beginning of a long journey for many Titanic passengers.