Mr Karl Alfred Backström

Who was Karl Alfred Backström?

Karl Alfred Backström 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. Born on January 14, 1880, in Kejtala, Strömfors, Loviisa, Finland, Backström was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, traveling with his pregnant wife and her two brothers.

Early Life and Background

Finnish Roots and Family

Karl Alfred Backström was born to Karl Gustav Backström and Sofia Lovisa Grundström. He had two siblings, including a sister named Anna Sofia. His early years were spent in Finland, where he developed skills that would later lead him to pursue work opportunities abroad.

A Life of Travel and Labor

Backström’s life was characterized by frequent travel between Finland and the United States:

1905: First journey to the USA
1906: Applied for US citizenship in Rome, New York
1906-1910: Worked as a barge canal worker in Rome, Oneida County, New York
1911: Returned to Finland and married Mathilda Gustafsson on September 24

The Titanic Journey

Why was Backström on the Titanic?

In 1912, Karl Alfred Backström received an offer to work as a foreman for a construction project in the United States. This opportunity prompted him and his wife Mathilda to embark on a journey that would ultimately lead them to the Titanic.

Travel Companions and Ticket Details

Traveled with his wife Maria Mathilda Backström and her brothers Johan Birger Gustafsson and Anders Vilhelm Gustafsson
Boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers
Ticket number: 3101278
Fare: £15 7s (£15 and 7 shillings)

The Journey to Southampton

Departed from Hangö, Finland on the steamship Polaris
Traveled to Hull, England
Made their way to Southampton to board the Titanic

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Karl Alfred Backström on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

Tragically, Karl Alfred Backström did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He, along with his brothers-in-law Johan and Anders, were among the many third-class victims who perished in the disaster. His body was never recovered from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Survival of Mathilda Backström

In a twist of fate, Karl’s wife Mathilda, who was six months pregnant at the time, managed to survive the sinking. She was one of the fortunate third-class survivors who made it onto a lifeboat and was rescued.

Aftermath and Legacy

Mathilda’s Return to Finland

Following the tragedy, Mathilda Backström decided to return to Finland:

Arrived in Finland on May 9, 1912
Received £325 in damages for her loss
Given $300 and clothing while in New York
Received an additional £100 from English funds

Red Cross Support

The Red Cross files (case 028) provide insight into the support offered to Mathilda Backström:

Husband drowned, while returning from a visit to Finland with his wife and her two brothers. The wife was saved, the two brothers were drowned. The wife was pregnant. She and her husband had lived in this country seven years. The wife returned home in April, 1912, to make her home with her mother.

Karl Alfred Backström’s Legacy

While Karl Alfred Backström’s life was cut short at the age of 32, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. His journey from Finland to the United States, driven by the promise of work and a better life, reflects the dreams and aspirations of many immigrants of his time. Today, he is remembered as one of the many souls lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies.