Filip Oscar Asplund

Who was Master Filip Oscar Asplund?

Master Filip Oscar Asplund was a 13 (thirteen) year-old Swedish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 12, 1898, he was one of the youngest victims of the tragic sinking, losing his life on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Swedish Roots

Filip Oscar Asplund was born into a Swedish family, the son of Carl and Selma Asplund. He was part of a large family, with several siblings:

• Carl Edgar Asplund
• Clarence Gustaf Hugo Asplund
• Edvin Rojj Felix Asplund
• Lillian Gertrud Asplund

His father was Carl Oscar Vilhelm Gustafsson Asplund, and his mother was Selma Augusta Emilia Asplund.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarkation and Ticket Details

The Asplund family embarked on the Titanic at Southampton, England. They were traveling as third-class passengers, reflecting the common practice of emigrant families seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic.

Ticket Information:

• Ticket Number: 347077
• Fare: £31 7s (£31 and 7 shillings)

What was life like for third-class passengers on the Titanic?

Third-class accommodations on the Titanic, while basic, were considered quite good for the time. Passengers like Filip and his family would have had access to common areas and shared facilities. Their experience would have been a mix of excitement for the journey ahead and the challenges of traveling in steerage.

The Tragic Sinking

Filip’s Final Moments

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, the Asplund family faced a terrifying situation. As a third-class passenger, Filip’s chances of survival were significantly lower due to the location of steerage accommodations and the limited access to lifeboats.

What happened to Filip during the sinking?

Tragically, Filip Oscar Asplund did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. At just 13 (thirteen) years old, he became one of the many young lives lost in this historic disaster. His body, like many others, was never recovered or identified from the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Legacy and Remembrance

Filip Oscar Asplund’s story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His name lives on in historical records and memorials dedicated to the victims of the sinking.

Family’s Fate

The Titanic tragedy had a devastating impact on the Asplund family:

• Filip’s father, Carl, also perished in the sinking
• His mother, Selma, and two of his siblings, Edvin and Lillian, survived the disaster

This split in the family’s fate underscores the chaotic and heartbreaking nature of the evacuation process during the Titanic’s final hours.

Historical Significance

Filip Oscar Asplund’s story contributes to our understanding of the human cost of the Titanic disaster, particularly its impact on immigrant families seeking a new life in America. His young age at the time of his death serves as a somber reminder of the indiscriminate nature of such tragedies.

The tale of Filip and the Asplund family continues to captivate historians and Titanic enthusiasts, providing a personal dimension to one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.