Hans Martin Monsen Birkeland

Who was Mr Hans Martin Monsen Birkeland?

Mr Hans Martin Monsen Birkeland was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Norwegian seaman who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on December 19, 1890, in Bremnes, Søndre Bergenhus, Norway, Birkeland was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Norwegian Upbringing

Hans Martin Monsen Birkeland was born into a large family, the son of Mons Jonson Birkeland, a teacher, and Sina Elisabet Kahrs. He grew up on a family farm in Bremnes, surrounded by his eight siblings:

Kristoffer Andreas Kahrs (b. 1873)
Kaspar John (b. 1874)
Karen Andrea (b. 1878)
Hermann Olai (b. 1881)
Kari Sofie (b. 1883)
Hanna Lovise (b. 1885)
Twins Marta Elisabet and Henrik Daae (b. 1894)

Facing Early Adversity

Young Hans faced significant challenges early in life:

He lost his father at a young age
His brother Kristoffer died in the early 1900s when the ship he was serving aboard, Vanadis, foundered

Despite these hardships, Hans remained undeterred in his pursuit of a maritime career.

A Life at Sea

How did Hans Birkeland begin his seafaring career?

Following in his late brother’s footsteps, Hans went to sea from a young age, working out of Bergen. This early maritime experience would shape his career path and ultimately lead him to board the Titanic in April 1912.

The Fateful Journey

In April 1912, Hans was set to join the Norheim as a seaman, with the ship docked in Philadelphia. He embarked on this journey alongside two other Norwegian men:

Knud Rommetvedt
Albert Moss

The three men boarded the Titanic in Southampton as third-class passengers. Hans’ ticket details were as follows:

Ticket Number	Cost
312992	£7, 15s, 6d

They shared a cabin on F-deck’s forward portside, forming a bond that would last until their final moments on the ship.

The Night of the Sinking

What happened to Hans Birkeland on the night of April 14, 1912?

On that fateful night, Hans and his cabin mates were asleep when they were suddenly awakened by a shudder running through the ship. The sequence of events unfolded as follows:

The three men quickly dressed and left their cabin
They joined other steerage passengers gathering on the aft well deck
From this vantage point, they watched several lifeboats depart
Albert Moss became separated from Hans and Knud after returning to their cabin
Tragically, this was the last time Albert saw his two friends

Hans Birkeland perished in the sinking, and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Aftermath

How did Hans Birkeland’s family cope with the tragedy?

In the wake of the disaster, Hans’ mother, Sina, received financial assistance to help cope with the loss of her son:

£50 from the Mansion House relief fund
Additional payments from other sources

Sina continued to live on the family farm until her death in 1929, carrying the memory of her son and the tragedy that befell him.

A Life Cut Short

Hans Martin Monsen Birkeland’s story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. At just 21 years old, he embarked on a journey filled with hope and promise, only to meet a tragic end in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. His tale, intertwined with those of his fellow Norwegian travelers, serves as a testament to the bonds formed in the face of adversity and the enduring impact of the Titanic’s sinking on families and communities around the world.