Franz Pulbaum

Who was Mr Franz Pulbaum?

Mr Franz Pulbaum was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old German-American machinist who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on October 14, 1884, in Germany, Pulbaum had emigrated to the United States in 1907 and was in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen when he embarked on his ill-fated journey aboard the Titanic in 1912.

Early Life and Immigration

German Origins and Skills

Franz Pulbaum was born in Germany in 1884, where he likely received his training as a machinist. This skilled trade would prove to be his ticket to a new life across the Atlantic.

Journey to America

In 1907, at the age of 23 (twenty-three), Pulbaum made the momentous decision to emigrate to the United States. He departed from Bremen, Germany, aboard the ship “Missouri,” joining the waves of European immigrants seeking new opportunities in America during the early 20th century.

Life in New York

Coney Island and Luna Park

After arriving in the United States, Franz Pulbaum settled in New York. His last known residence was at Luna Park in Coney Island, a famous amusement park that had opened in 1903. This location suggests that Pulbaum may have found work related to his skills as a machinist, possibly maintaining or operating the various mechanical attractions at the park.

Pursuing American Citizenship

Pulbaum’s commitment to his adopted country is evident in his pursuit of American citizenship. On February 17, 1912, just months before his fateful voyage, he signed his declaration of intention to become a U.S. citizen in New York. This document would later become a poignant artifact recovered from the ocean floor.

The Titanic Voyage

Why was Pulbaum returning to Europe?

Franz Pulbaum’s presence on the Titanic was the result of a return trip from Europe. He had apparently visited the continent, possibly to see family or for business reasons, with the intention of returning to his life in New York.

Boarding the Titanic

Pulbaum boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, as a second-class passenger. His ticket, number SC/PARIS 2168, cost £15 0s 8d, a considerable sum at the time, reflecting the luxury and prestige associated with the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

The Sinking and Pulbaum’s Fate

Tragically, Franz Pulbaum did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was just 27 (twenty-seven) years old when he perished in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. His body, if recovered, was never identified, adding to the heartbreak of his untimely death.

Legacy and Artifacts

Recovery of Personal Belongings

In a remarkable turn of events, Franz Pulbaum’s trunk was recovered from the ocean floor during explorations of the Titanic wreck site. Among the personal belongings found in this trunk was his “Declaration of Intention” to become a U.S. citizen, a poignant reminder of the life and dreams cut short by the disaster.

Historical Confusion

Interestingly, there was some historical confusion surrounding Pulbaum’s identity. A newspaper article from April 23, 1912, in The Sun (New York) erroneously reported the death of a “Franz Adelman,” his wife, and mother-in-law aboard the Titanic. This article described Adelman as the chief mechanic for the Witching Waves Company at Luna Park, which may have been Pulbaum’s actual position.

The article stated:

“Franz Adelman, chief mechanic for the Witching Waves Company, proprietor of the attraction bearing that name at Luna Park, and his wife and his mother, Mrs. Christina Adelman, were three of the second cabin victims of the Titanic disaster.”

However, subsequent reports on May 1, 1912, clarified that Frank Adelman and his wife had not sailed on the Titanic. This confusion highlights the chaos and misinformation that often followed in the wake of the disaster.

Franz Pulbaum’s Place in Titanic History

Franz Pulbaum’s story, while less known than some of the Titanic’s famous passengers, represents the dreams and aspirations of many immigrants who crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life. His pursuit of American citizenship, cut short by the Titanic disaster, serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the tragedy. The recovery of his personal belongings, especially his Declaration of Intention, provides a tangible link to his life and the lives of countless others lost on that fateful night in April 1912.