Elin Ester Maria Braf
Who was Miss Elin Ester Maria Braf?
Miss Elin Ester Maria Braf was a 20 (twenty) year-old Swedish servant who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on October 16, 1891, in Medeltorp, Ramkvilla, Småland, Sweden, Elin was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to America that would ultimately end in disaster.
Early Life and Family
Swedish Roots
Elin Ester Maria Braf was born to Johan and Lovisa Braf in the small Swedish town of Medeltorp, Ramkvilla. Growing up in the picturesque region of Småland, Elin likely experienced a traditional Swedish upbringing at the turn of the 20th century.
Family Ties Across the Atlantic
Elin’s family had already established connections in America. She was traveling to visit her sister, Mrs. Annie Hammar, who resided at 1006 Roscoc St. in Chicago. Another sister, Mrs. Tille Wright, was also mentioned in connection with Elin’s journey, highlighting the family’s transatlantic ties.
The Fateful Journey
Embarking on the Titanic
On April 10, 1912, Elin boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. She was accompanied by her friend and fellow traveler, Helmina Josefina Nilsson, also from Ramkvilla.
Ticket and Accommodation
- Ticket Number: 347471
- Class: 3rd Class
- Fare: £7 17s
A Seasoned Traveler?
According to Helmina, Elin had previously visited the United States and was accustomed to travel. This experience allegedly influenced Helmina’s parents’ decision to allow their daughter to accompany Elin on the voyage. However, this information about Elin’s prior travels remains unconfirmed.
The Tragic Night
What happened to Elin during the sinking?
As the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, Elin’s fate was sealed along with many other third-class passengers. Eyewitness accounts suggest that most steerage passengers spent their final moments near the stern of the ship.
A Poignant Detail
Elin had packed a special item in her luggage – a doll intended as a gift for her niece, Mabel. Helmina later hinted in an interview that Elin had brought the package containing the doll with her up on deck during the chaos of the sinking. Hauntingly, a doll’s head has been photographed in the debris field near the Titanic’s stern, possibly connecting this artifact to Elin’s last moments.
Legacy and Remembrance
The Search for Elin
Tragically, Elin’s body was never recovered from the frigid North Atlantic waters. Like many victims of the disaster, her final resting place remains the ocean depths.
Financial Compensation
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Mansion House Fund provided financial assistance to Elin’s grieving family:
- 875.52 Kr (£48) paid to her parents
- 911 Kr (£50) in damage claims paid to her parents on June 8, 1914
Elin’s Place in Titanic History
Elin Ester Maria Braf’s story, while brief, encapsulates the dreams and tragedies of many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic. Her journey represents the aspirations of countless immigrants seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic, only to have their hopes dashed by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.
The image of the doll’s head found near the Titanic wreck serves as a poignant reminder of Elin’s unfulfilled plans and the personal belongings lost to the sea, each item telling a story of lives cut short on that fateful night in April 1912.
Related People
- Knows
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.