Ernst Ulrik Persson

Who was Mr Ernst Ulrik Persson?

Mr Ernst Ulrik Persson was a Swedish survivor of the Titanic disaster who later settled in America. Born on July 29, 1886, in Julita, Sweden, Persson was 25 (twenty-five) years old when he boarded the ill-fated ship as a third-class passenger. He worked as a chauffeur and janitor in Sweden before embarking on his journey to start a new life in America.

Early Life and Career in Sweden

Swedish Roots and Occupations

Ernst Ulrik Persson was born and raised in Julita, Sweden. Before his fateful journey on the Titanic, he had established himself in various occupations:

Worked as a janitor
Employed as a chauffeur
Resided at Hollandargatan 4, Stockholm

These early experiences in Sweden likely contributed to his adaptability and resilience, traits that would serve him well during the impending disaster and his subsequent life in America.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Life

Ernst Persson boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a third-class passenger. His ticket details reveal:

Ticket number: 347083
Fare paid: £7 15s 6d (equivalent to about £890 in 2023)

Persson wasn’t traveling alone. He was accompanied by:

His sister, Elna Ström
His niece, Telma Matilda Ström

The family group was headed to Indiana Harbor, Indiana, where Elna Ström had previously settled. They were believed to have occupied cabins on G deck, possibly in room 6 or 7.

How did Ernst Persson survive the Titanic sinking?

Ernst Persson’s survival story is a harrowing tale of determination and luck. In a letter to his wife, he described the terrifying moments as the ship sank:

“When Elna and I came up all lifeboats were crowded at that time no rescue was found. We stood together all the time, so we agreed to accompany each other into the deep. But as the boat sunk and the water started pouring over the deck there was a terrible sight and scuffle and that separated us.”

Persson was washed overboard as the ship went down. He managed to surface and found himself under a “roof of wreckage.” After clinging to the debris for some time, he was forced to swim away as the last part of the ship sank. He then encountered an overturned lifeboat:

“As I swam, I saw how people in the water tried to rescue themselves in an overloaded boat but as they hanged on the gunwale and all drowned and the boat turned the keel upwards, then I saw how some people climbed up on it, then I swam away towards it and was taken up.”

Persson spent six grueling hours on this overturned boat, with water up to his shoulders, before being rescued by another lifeboat and eventually transferred to the rescue ship. His account suggests he was likely saved by Collapsible B, one of the last lifeboats to be launched from the Titanic.

Life After the Titanic

Settling in America

After surviving the Titanic disaster, Ernst Persson began rebuilding his life in America:

Made an insurance claim for personal injury ($5,000) and loss of property ($250)
Received relief from the American Red Cross (Case #376)
His wife Anna and sons Ernst Folke and Ernst Tage joined him in October 1912
Changed his name to Ernest Pearson by 1914
Worked as a bricklayer at the Standard Forgings company
Lived at 3725 A Carey Street, Indiana Harbor, Indiana
Later moved to Hammond, Indiana

How did the Titanic experience impact Ernst Persson’s life?

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on Ernst Persson’s life. He lost his sister and niece in the sinking, a tragedy that likely haunted him for years. However, he showed remarkable resilience by:

Quickly establishing himself in America
Bringing his family over from Sweden
Changing careers from chauffeur to bricklayer
Adapting to American life, including changing his name

Legacy and Final Years

Ernst Ulrik Persson, who became known as Ernest Pearson in America, lived a full life after the Titanic disaster. He and his wife had more children after settling in the United States, expanding their family beyond the two sons who initially joined them from Sweden.

Persson’s life came to an end on October 17, 1951, at the age of 65 (sixty-five). He was laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond, Indiana, leaving behind a legacy of survival and perseverance.

Ernst Ulrik Persson’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster and the resilience of those who survived to build new lives in America. His firsthand account of the sinking provides valuable insight into the chaotic final moments of the ship and the desperate struggle for survival that followed.