Hans Peder Jensen

Who was Hans Peder Jensen?

Hans Peder Jensen was a 20 (twenty) year-old Danish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1892, he was a beer-wagon driver from Pederstrup, Sønder, Højrup Sogn, Vinding Herred, Svendborg Amt, Fyn, Denmark. Jensen’s journey on the Titanic was meant to be the start of a new life in America with his fiancée, but tragically ended with the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Hans Peder Jensen was born in 1892 to Jens Pedersen and Karen Marie Hansen. Growing up in Denmark, he developed aspirations for a better life that would eventually lead him to embark on a transatlantic journey.

A Dream of a New Life

Why was Hans Peder Jensen traveling to America?

Hans Peder Jensen was traveling to Portland, Oregon with ambitious plans for his future. He and his fiancée, Carla Jensen, intended to acquire their own farm in the New World. This dream represented not just a change of location, but a chance for the young couple to build a life together on their own terms.

The Titanic Journey

Hans Peder Jensen boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His ticket, number 350050, cost £7 17s, equivalent to about £890 in today’s currency. This was a significant investment for a young man of his background, highlighting the importance of this journey to his future.

Companions on the Voyage

Jensen didn’t travel alone on this fateful journey. He was accompanied by:

• Carla Jensen (his fiancée)
• Svend Lauritz Jensen (Carla’s brother)
• Niels Peder Jensen (Carla’s uncle)

This group of four, bound by family ties and shared dreams, embarked together on what they hoped would be an adventure leading to a prosperous new life.

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck the iceberg that would seal its fate, Hans Peder Jensen demonstrated remarkable bravery and selflessness.

How did Hans Peder Jensen react to the emergency?

When the gravity of the situation became clear, Jensen, along with Carla’s brother and uncle, sprang into action. They:

1. Went to the stern of the ship to wake Carla
2. Made their way to the boat deck amid the chaos
3. Ensured Carla’s safety by helping her into a lifeboat

This account paints a picture of a man who, even in the face of mortal danger, prioritized the safety of his loved ones.

The Aftermath

What happened to Hans Peder Jensen?

Tragically, while Hans Peder Jensen succeeded in saving his fiancée, he himself did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was never recovered from the frigid North Atlantic waters, leaving his family without even the solace of a proper burial.

A Mother’s Quest for Justice

In the wake of the disaster, Hans Peder Jensen’s mother sought some form of recompense for her loss. She attempted to recover 350 Danish Kronor she had lent her son for his journey. This amount, while perhaps not substantial to the White Star Line, represented a significant sum for a grieving mother of modest means.

“There are no records that show that White Star accepted liability for the loan.”

This poignant detail underscores the human cost of the tragedy, extending beyond the loss of life to the financial hardships faced by surviving family members.

Legacy

Hans Peder Jensen’s story, while one among many in the Titanic disaster, exemplifies the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers. His actions on that fateful night, ensuring the survival of his fiancée at the cost of his own life, stand as a testament to human love and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

Today, Hans Peder Jensen is remembered not just as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters, but as a young man of courage and devotion, whose life, though cut tragically short, continues to touch hearts over a century later.