Hulda Amanda Adolfina Veström

Who was Miss Hulda Amanda Adolfina Veström?

Miss Hulda Amanda Adolfina Veström was a 14 (fourteen) year-old Swedish servant who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on July 11, 1897, in Vänge, Gotland, Sweden, Hulda was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to Los Angeles, California, accompanied by her aunt and other relatives.

Early Life and Family

Swedish Roots

Hulda was born into a working-class Swedish family. Her parents were:

Father: Oskar Adolf Veström (born February 28, 1875)
Mother: Emma Josefina Fredrika Löfqvist (born March 19, 1872)

Hulda grew up in Salmunds, Vänge, a small community on the island of Gotland. She was not an only child, as her family included:

A twin sister: Johanna Maria (1897-1973, later Mrs. Emil Julius Niklasson)
A younger sibling: Malin Elisabeth (1904-1963, later Mrs. Henrik Martin Gösta Dyplin)

Family Separation

In 1903, when Hulda was just six years old, her father made a life-changing decision. He emigrated to the United States, settling there and leaving his family behind in Sweden. This separation would set the stage for Hulda’s fateful journey across the Atlantic nearly a decade later.

The Journey to a New Life

Why was Hulda traveling on the Titanic?

At the young age of 14 (fourteen), Hulda embarked on what was meant to be a transformative journey. She was traveling to Los Angeles, California, to join her maternal aunt, Hulda Christina Eugenia Klasén (née Löfqvist). This voyage represented not just a reunion with family, but potentially the start of a new life in America.

Titanic Boarding Details

Hulda boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, after having traveled via Copenhagen. Her journey details include:

Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: 350406
Ticket Cost: £7, 17s, 1d (7 pounds, 17 shillings, and 1 penny)

Travel Companions

Hulda was not traveling alone. Her companions included:

Hulda Christina Eugenia Klasén (her maternal aunt)
Klas Albin Klasén (her aunt’s brother-in-law)
Gertrude Emilia Klasén (Klas Albin’s niece)

Additionally, they were part of a larger group of Swedish passengers, including:

Mrs. Sandström and her two daughters
Elina Olsson
Thure Lundström

The Tragic Sinking

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

On that fateful night, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Hulda, along with her aunt and the Klaséns, were unable to secure a place on a lifeboat. Like many third-class passengers, their chances of survival were significantly diminished by their location deep within the ship and the lack of clear evacuation procedures for those in steerage.

The Aftermath

Hulda, her aunt, and the Klaséns perished in the sinking. Their bodies, like those of many Titanic victims, were never recovered from the frigid North Atlantic waters. The loss of this young life, on the cusp of a new beginning, underscores the tragedy that befell so many families on that April night.

Remembrance and Legacy

A Mother’s Grief

On April 29, 1912, Hulda’s mother placed a poignant announcement of death in the “Gotlands Allehanda” newspaper. This public expression of grief, shared alongside a similar announcement for Hulda Klasén, speaks to the profound impact of the disaster on families across Sweden and the world.

Financial Compensation

In the wake of the tragedy, Hulda’s family received financial compensation:

The Mansion House Fund paid 875.52 Kr (£48) to Hulda’s mother
Additional damage claims of 455.50 Kr (£25) were received on June 12, 1914

While these sums could never replace the loss of a child, they represent society’s attempt to provide some measure of support to the bereaved families.

The Fate of Hulda’s Parents

Emma Josefina Fredrika Löfqvist (Mother)

The records fall silent on what became of Hulda’s mother after the tragedy. The loss of her young daughter must have been a devastating blow, and her story remains one of the many untold tales of grief in the wake of the Titanic disaster.

Oskar Adolf Veström (Father)

Hulda’s father, who had emigrated to the United States in 1903, built a life for himself in Chicago, Illinois. There, he:

Worked as a painter and decorator
Remarried to a much younger woman named Anna (born 1899)
Passed away on March 17, 1940
Was laid to rest in Beverly Cemetery, Worth, Illinois

Oskar’s story of immigration, loss, and rebuilding a life in America encapsulates the complex narratives of many families touched by the Titanic tragedy.

Hulda Amanda Adolfina Veström’s brief life and tragic death serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. Her story, one of thousands, continues to resonate over a century later, reminding us of the dreams, hopes, and lives cut short on that cold April night in 1912.