Mr Ivan Čor was a 27 (twenty-seven) year-old Croatian laborer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. A third-class passenger, Čor was en route to Great Falls, Montana, when he boarded the ill-fated ship at Southampton on its maiden voyage in April 1912.
Early Life and Family
Born in 1885, Ivan Čor hailed from Kričina, Croatia. By the time of his Titanic journey, he was married to Katarina Čor and maintained close ties with his mother, Anna Čor, both of whom remained in Kričina (Bribir).
The Journey to a New Life
Why was Ivan Čor traveling to America?
Ivan Čor, like many European immigrants of his time, was seeking new opportunities in America. His destination was Great Falls, Montana, a growing industrial city that attracted many laborers in the early 20th century.
How did he secure his passage on the Titanic?
To embark on his transatlantic journey, Čor purchased a third-class ticket through the agent Im Obersteg & Cie., based in Basel, Switzerland. The ticket cost him 480 Swiss francs, equivalent to £7 17s 11d in British currency at the time.
Ticket Details:
Number: 349229
Class: 3rd Class
Price: £7 17s 11d (480 Swiss francs)
The Fateful Voyage
Ivan Čor boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. As a third-class passenger, he would have been housed in the ship’s stern, where accommodations were basic but still a significant improvement over other vessels of the time.
What happened to Ivan Čor during the sinking?
Tragically, Ivan Čor did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. Like many third-class passengers, his chances of reaching a lifeboat were slim due to the location of the third-class quarters and the confusion during the evacuation.
The Aftermath
Was Ivan Čor’s body ever recovered?
Despite extensive recovery efforts in the weeks following the disaster, Ivan Čor’s body was never identified if it was recovered at all. This was unfortunately common for many victims of the Titanic disaster, particularly those from third-class.
How were Ivan Čor’s family compensated?
In the wake of the tragedy, relief funds were established to assist the families of Titanic victims. Ivan Čor’s widow, Katarina, received £100 from this fund, while his mother, Anna, was granted £20. While no amount could compensate for their loss, these payments were intended to provide some financial support to the bereaved families.
Family Connections on the Titanic
Interestingly, Ivan Čor was not the only passenger with his surname aboard the Titanic. He was presumably related to two other Croatian passengers:
Bartol Čor
Liudevit Čor
The exact nature of their relationship is unclear, but their shared surname and common origin suggest a family connection. Tragically, all three Čor men perished in the sinking, underscoring the devastating impact the disaster had on some families.
Legacy
Ivan Čor’s story, while brief, is a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations that led so many to board the Titanic. His journey, cut tragically short, represents the hopes of countless immigrants seeking a better life in America. Today, Ivan Čor is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters but as a symbol of the human cost of the Titanic tragedy.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.