Eiriik Jussila

Who was Mr Eiriik Jussila?

Mr Eiriik Jussila was a Finnish Titanic survivor who embarked on a remarkable journey from his homeland to America, ultimately surviving one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. Born on April 2, 1880, in Elimäki, Kouvola, Finland, Jussila’s life would be forever changed by his experience aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Early Life and Immigration

Finnish Roots and First American Journey

Eiriik Jussila’s early life in Finland remains largely shrouded in mystery. However, we do know that he first emigrated to the United States in 1902, at the age of 22 (twenty-two). During this initial stay in America, Jussila lived in:

• Minnesota
• Michigan

Return to Finland and Marriage

Around 1910, Jussila made the decision to return to his homeland. It was during this time that he married Helmi Heinola, who was born circa 1893. This union would play a significant role in shaping Jussila’s future plans and motivations.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Jussila on the Titanic?

Eiriik Jussila boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, with a specific goal in mind. He was:

• Returning to the USA to settle in Monessen, Pennsylvania
• Planning to work in the steel mills
• Aiming to save enough money to bring his wife to America

Titanic Ticket Details

Jussila likely shared a cabin with other Finnish men, a common practice for single male passengers in third class.

The Night of the Sinking

How did Jussila survive the Titanic disaster?

Jussila’s survival story is both thrilling and contentious. According to his account:

1. He was awakened by the collision but didn’t immediately get up.
2. His mate, Juha Niskänen, warned him of trouble.
3. Jussila claimed to have jumped into the water with his life belt on.
4. He allegedly swam towards the nearest boat.
5. A crewman purportedly pointed a pistol at him, demanding he give up his life belt to a woman passenger.

However, historians believe there may be some dramatic license in this account. It’s more likely that Jussila boarded one of the aft starboard boats, probably lifeboat 15.

The Dramatic Escape

Jussila’s actual escape was no less dramatic than his embellished account:

• He was denied entry to the first three boats he approached.
• On his fifth attempt, he managed to jump into a lifeboat.
• Two crewmen tried to prevent him, fearing he would endanger the lowering process.
• Jussila fell into the boat and was placed at an oar.
• He rowed all night with his back to the sinking Titanic.
• His lifeboat held approximately 70 people, with Jussila being the only Finn aboard.

At 7 in the morning, the survivors in Jussila’s lifeboat were picked up by the RMS Carpathia.

Life After the Titanic

Recovery and Reunion

After arriving in New York, Jussila spent time recuperating at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Eventually, his wife joined him in America, and the couple settled in Minnesota. They had two sons:

1. Erik William (1913-1977)
2. Arvo (1916-1997)

Where did the Jussila family live?

The Jussila family’s journey in America took them to several locations:

1. Nashwauck, Itasca, Minnesota
2. Ashtabula, Ohio
3. Sterling, Massachusetts

Later Life and Legacy

A New Chapter

While the fate of Jussila’s first wife remains unclear, he later remarried to Maria W. Holm, a Finnish widow born in 1875. The couple settled in Sterling, Massachusetts, where Jussila:

• Lived on Rawley Hill Road
• Operated a farm for the remainder of his life

Final Days

Eiriik Jussila, the Titanic survivor who had crossed the Atlantic multiple times and cheated death on the world’s most famous ocean liner, passed away on January 5, 1944, at the age of 63 (sixty-three). The cause of his death was cancer. He is buried in High Plains Cemetery, West Boylston, Massachusetts, alongside his wife Maria, who died in 1953.

Eiriik Jussila’s life story serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of immigrants and the profound impact of the Titanic disaster on individual lives. From a small town in Finland to the decks of the Titanic and finally to a farm in Massachusetts, Jussila’s journey embodies the tumultuous and hopeful nature of early 20th-century American immigration.