Ernst Heribert Björklund

Who was Ernst Heribert Björklund?

Ernst Heribert Björklund was an 18 (eighteen) year-old Swedish general labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Björklund was a third-class passenger on the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey to follow his brother to New York in pursuit of new opportunities.

Early Life and Family

A Glimpse into Ernst’s Childhood

Ernst Heribert Björklund was born on March 1, 1894, in Skeppsholm, Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up in a large family, residing at Grevgatan 62 in Stockholm. His parents were:

• Father: Carl Johan Björklund (born August 20, 1846, in Karlskrona)
• Mother: Erika Kristina Johansdotter (born January 11, 1850, in Långemåla)

The couple married on November 10, 1878, and Ernst was one of their six children.

Siblings and Family Life

Ernst was part of a close-knit family with five siblings:

1. Johan Emil Helge (born December 13, 1877)
2. Carl Eugene (born November 2, 1881)
3. Jarl Harald (born November 2, 1883)
4. Elsa Viktoria (born July 10, 1885)
5. Gurli Carolina (born September 7, 1887)

His father, Carl Johan, was a former non-commissioned officer (NCO), which likely instilled a sense of discipline and duty in the Björklund household.

The Path to America

Following in His Brother’s Footsteps

Ernst’s journey to America was inspired by his older brother, Harald, who had first migrated to the United States in 1901. Harald had settled in New York and returned home for a visit in the summer of 1911. This visit may have been the catalyst for Ernst’s decision to seek his fortune across the Atlantic.

A Promise of Work

What prompted Ernst to leave his home in Stockholm? It was the promise of employment that drew him to America. His brother Harald had already arranged work for Ernst in New York, offering the young man a chance at a new life and career opportunities that may not have been available in Sweden.

The Fateful Journey

Departure from Göteborg

Ernst’s journey began on April 5, 1912, when he departed from Göteborg aboard the Calypso. This was the first leg of his voyage that would ultimately lead him to Southampton, England, where he would board the Titanic.

Boarding the Titanic

In Southampton, Ernst boarded the RMS Titanic as a third-class passenger. His ticket, number 347090, cost £7 15s (7 pounds, 15 shillings), a significant sum for a young labourer at the time.

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

The Sinking and Ernst’s Fate

Tragically, Ernst Björklund did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. At just 18 years old, his promising future was cut short in one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Financial Compensation

In the wake of the disaster, the Björklund family received financial compensation:

• The Mansion House Fund paid 875.52 Kr (£48) to Ernst’s parents
• An additional 911 Kr (£50) in damage claims was paid on June 29, 1914

The Family’s Future

Ernst’s parents remained in Stockholm following the tragedy. His mother passed away in 1928, followed by his father in 1934. Meanwhile, his brother Harald, whose footsteps Ernst had hoped to follow, remained in New York and became a U.S. citizen in 1922.

Ernst’s Legacy

While Ernst Heribert Björklund’s life was tragically short, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. It exemplifies the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants seeking a better life in America, only to have those aspirations dashed by fate. Today, Ernst’s memory lives on as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic, a testament to the human cost of one of history’s most famous maritime tragedies.