Juho Tikkanen
Mr Juho Tikkanen
Who was Juho Tikkanen?
Juho Tikkanen was a 32 (thirty-two) year-old Finnish general labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. As a third-class passenger, Tikkanen’s story is one of many that highlights the disproportionate impact of the disaster on those traveling in steerage.
Early Life and Background
Finnish Roots
Born on June 24, 1879, in Pielavesi, Kuopio, Finland, Juho Tikkanen came from a farming family. His parents were:
- Father: Herman Tikkanen (born December 18, 1832)
- Mother: Helena Tikkanen (née Gregorsdotter, born December 16, 1838)
The couple had married on June 28, 1869, in Pielavesi, and Juho was one of six children in the family.
Siblings
Juho grew up with five siblings:
- Karolina (born December 25, 1870)
- Lovisa (born November 9, 1872)
- Henrik (born November 12, 1874)
- Anna (born January 8, 1877)
- Jafet (born March 22, 1882)
The Journey to Titanic
From Finland to England
Juho’s journey to the Titanic began in Hankö, Finland. From there, he traveled to Hull, England, before making his way to Southampton to board the ill-fated ship.
Titanic Embarkation
- Port of Embarkation: Southampton
- Ticket Number: 3101293
- Passenger Class: 3rd Class
- Cabin: Not assigned
Destination and Fare
Tikkanen was bound for New York, likely seeking new opportunities in America like many other immigrants of his time. The total fare for his journey from Hankö to New York was 269 Finnish Marks, equivalent to:
| Currency | Amount |
|---|---|
| USD | $51 |
| GBP | £10 12s |
What Happened to Juho Tikkanen on the Titanic?
Tragically, Juho Tikkanen did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class. The chaos and confusion during the evacuation, combined with the limited access to lifeboats for third-class passengers, likely contributed to his fate.
Recovery Efforts
Despite extensive search operations following the disaster, Juho Tikkanen’s body was never identified if it was recovered at all. This was unfortunately common for many victims of the Titanic disaster, especially those from third class.
Legacy and Compensation
Financial Compensation
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Tikkanen’s relatives received a compensation of £50. While this sum could never make up for the loss of life, it was part of the efforts to provide some form of restitution to the families of Titanic victims.
Remembering Juho Tikkanen
Today, Juho Tikkanen is remembered as one of the many lives lost in one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic tragedy and the dreams of a better life that were cut short for so many immigrants.
What Can We Learn from Juho Tikkanen’s Story?
Juho Tikkanen’s experience on the Titanic highlights several important aspects of the disaster:
- The disproportionate impact on third-class passengers
- The hopes and aspirations of immigrants seeking a new life in America
- The randomness of fate in such disasters
His story, like those of many other Titanic victims, continues to fascinate and move us, more than a century after that fateful night in April 1912.
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.