Elin Gerda Lindell

Who was Mrs Elin Gerda Lindell?

Mrs Elin Gerda Lindell was a 30 (thirty) year-old Swedish passenger who tragically lost her life during the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. She was traveling with her husband, Edvard Bengtsson Lindell, as third-class passengers, embarking on a journey to start a new life in the United States.

Early Life and Family

Elin Gerda Lindell was born on August 25, 1881, in Raus, Malmöhus County, Sweden. She came from a working-class family, with her father, Nils Persson, employed as a general laborer. Her mother was Johanna Persson (née Nilsdotter). Elin grew up in a large family, with four older siblings:

Edvard (born July 2, 1870)
Anders Peter (born December 22, 1872)
Nils (born May 6, 1875)
Johan Albert (born August 27, 1878)

Marriage and Life in Sweden

When did Elin marry Edvard Lindell?

Elin married Edvard Bengtsson Lindell on October 21, 1905. The couple made their home in Helsingborg, Skåne, Sweden, residing at Pålstorp No 5, Skogsgatan 7. Their life in Sweden seemed stable, but like many others during that time, they were drawn to the promise of new opportunities across the Atlantic.

The Fateful Journey

What were the Lindells’ plans in America?

The Lindells embarked on their journey to the United States with hopes of building a new life. Their destination was the home of A. Petterson at 10 Smith St. Hartford, Connecticut. It’s likely they were planning to settle in the same area, possibly joining a growing community of Swedish immigrants in the region.

Titanic Voyage Details:

Embarkation Point: Southampton
Passenger Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: 349910
Ticket Price: £15 11s

The Tragic Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, the Lindells found themselves in a desperate situation. Despite the chaos, they managed to reach Collapsible Lifeboat A, one of the last lifeboats to be launched.

What happened to Elin in her final moments?

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Elin was unable to survive, even after briefly reaching Collapsible A. Her husband, Edvard, held onto her wedding ring as she slipped away into the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. This poignant detail speaks volumes about their love and the tragedy that befell them.

The Wedding Ring: A Symbol of Love and Loss

The story of Elin’s wedding ring is a remarkable epilogue to her tragic tale:

The ring fell to the bottom of Collapsible A, which was not retrieved by the RMS Carpathia during the initial rescue.
On May 13, 1912, almost a month after the disaster, the crew of the Oceanic found the ring.
A complex series of communications ensued between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Consulate, and the White Star Line to verify the ring’s identity and determine its rightful recipient.
Initially, White Star Line suggested returning the ring to “Gerda” (likely a miscommunication about Elin’s name), but eventually recognized it should go to her nearest relative.
Elin’s father, Nils Persson, in Gantorfta, finally received the ring but had to provide proof of his right to claim it.

This journey of the wedding ring, from the depths of the Atlantic to Elin’s family in Sweden, serves as a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies behind the Titanic disaster.

Legacy and Compensation

Although Elin’s body was never recovered, her memory lived on through her family and the tragic circumstances of her death. In the aftermath of the disaster:

The Mansion House Fund paid 875.52 Kr (£48) to Elin’s parents as immediate relief.
On May 29, 1914, damage claims totaling 1366.50 Kr (£75) were paid to her parents.

These payments, while unable to compensate for the loss of a loved one, were part of the broader efforts to provide some form of restitution to the families of Titanic victims.

Elin Gerda Lindell’s story, though tragically cut short, remains a testament to the dreams and aspirations of those who embarked on the Titanic, and serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of that fateful voyage.