Gerda Ulrika Dahlberg

Who was Miss Gerda Ulrika Dahlberg?

Miss Gerda Ulrika Dahlberg was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Swedish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on February 5, 1890, in Västerhaninge, Stockholm, Sweden, she tragically lost her life in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. Gerda was a third-class passenger traveling to join her sister in Chicago, Illinois, when her journey was cut short by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family

A Swedish Upbringing

Gerda Ulrika Dahlberg was born into a large family in Stockholm, Sweden. Her parents were:

Father: Karl Magnus Dahlberg, a police official
Mother: Margareta Ulrika Persdotter (born 1850)

Gerda was one of seven siblings:

Karl Otto (born 1873)
Maria Karolina (born 1878)
Erik Gustaf (born 1883)
Knut Albert (born 1886)
Gerda Ulrika (born 1890)
Signe Margaretta (born 1892)
Katrina Lovisa (born 1893)

The Dahlberg family resided at Norrlöt, Tungelsta, Södertörn, Stockholm, where Gerda spent her formative years.

The Journey to a New Life

Why was Gerda traveling on the Titanic?

Gerda Dahlberg embarked on her fateful journey with the intention of starting a new life in America. She was traveling from her home in Sweden to join her sister, Signe Dahlberg, who was already settled at 1830 (or possibly 1838) Calumet Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. This voyage represented not just a trip across the Atlantic, but a young woman’s aspirations for new opportunities and experiences in the United States.

Titanic Voyage Details

Embarkation: Southampton
Ticket Number: 7552
Ticket Cost: £10, 10s, 4d (equivalent to about £1,300 in 2023)
Class: Third Class
Cabin: Shared with Olga Lundin

The Tragic Night of April 14-15, 1912

Gerda’s Final Moments

During the sinking of the Titanic, Gerda Dahlberg found herself struggling in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. In a cruel twist of fate, she was recognized by a fellow Swedish passenger, Carl Olof Jansson, as they both fought for survival in the icy sea. While Jansson was eventually rescued, Gerda sadly perished in the disaster.

“During the sinking Carl later recognised Gerda as they both struggled in the water. Jansson was eventually picked up but Gerda died in the sinking and her body was not recovered.”

This heart-wrenching account provides a glimpse into the chaos and tragedy of that fateful night, where chance encounters in the darkest of circumstances highlighted the human connections formed aboard the doomed vessel.

The Aftermath

A Sister’s Desperate Hope

In the days following the disaster, Gerda’s sister Signe, who was anxiously awaiting her arrival in Chicago, clung to hope amidst growing despair. As reported in newspapers of the time:

“Her sister Signe ‘had been haunting the White Star offices for the last three days, received word yesterday which crushed her last hope for the safety of her sister.’”

This poignant detail illustrates the anguish faced by countless families as they awaited news of their loved ones’ fates.

Financial Compensation

In the wake of the tragedy, the Dahlberg family received financial compensation:

The Mansion House Fund paid 875:52 Kr (£48) to Gerda’s parents
A claim for damages of 911 Kr (£50) was later paid on June 30, 1914

While no amount could compensate for the loss of a beloved daughter and sister, these payments were part of the broader efforts to provide some measure of support to the families affected by the disaster.

Legacy and Family History

Gerda’s tragic story became part of her family’s legacy. Her parents remained in Stockholm, with her mother passing away in 1928 and her father in 1931. Gerda’s sister Signe, for whom she had intended to join in Chicago, went on to build a life in America:

Married Martin Johnson (born 1890), a fellow Swede, in the 1920s
Raised a family in Chicago
Later moved to Michigan
Believed to have passed away in the 1980s at a nursing home in Lawton, MI

Gerda Ulrika Dahlberg’s life, though cut short at the age of 22, remains a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations of the many immigrants who boarded the Titanic in search of a new life. Her story, intertwined with one of history’s most famous tragedies, continues to resonate over a century later, a testament to the enduring impact of the Titanic disaster on individuals, families, and communities across the world.