Mr Klas Albin Klasén

Who was Klas Albin Klasén?

Mr Klas Albin Klasén was a young Swedish farm laborer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on July 17, 1893, in Fliseryd, Kalmar, Sweden, Klasén was just 18 (eighteen) years old when he embarked on his ill-fated journey to America.

Early Life and Background

A Swedish Upbringing

Klas Albin Klasén grew up in Grimshult, Fliseryd, a rural area in Sweden. He was born into a family of farmers, with his parents being:

• Father: Klas Victor Karlsson
• Mother: Johanna Matilda Jonsdotter (born 1857)

Klasén had three siblings:

1. Karl Osker Emanuel (born 1883)
2. Alice Esther Amanda (born 1890)
3. Elin Viktoria Elisabeth (born 1897)

As a young man, Klasén followed in his family’s footsteps and worked as a farm laborer, likely contributing to the family’s agricultural pursuits.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Klasén traveling on the Titanic?

Klas Albin Klasén was part of a larger group of Swedish emigrants seeking new opportunities in America. He boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger, with hopes of reuniting with family members who had already settled in Los Angeles.

Ticket and Travel Details

• Ticket Number: 350404
• Fare: £7 17s 1d (7 pounds, 17 shillings, and 1 pence)
• Class: 3rd Class
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

Klasén was not traveling alone. He was accompanied by:

• His 18-month-old niece, Gertrude Emilia Klasén
• His sister-in-law, Hulda Klasén (a Los Angeles resident and widow of his brother Karl)
• Another niece of Mrs. Klasén, Hulda Amanda Adolfina Veström

The group was part of a larger party of Swedes, including Mrs Sandström and her two daughters, Elina Olsson, and Thure Lundström.

The Journey’s Purpose

Klasén and his niece had obtained their emigration certificates on March 22, 1912, just weeks before their departure. Their ultimate destination was Los Angeles, where they planned to reunite with Gertrude’s mother (Klasén’s sister Alice), who had emigrated in 1911 and married Hulda Klasén’s brother.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Klas Albin Klasén on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

Tragically, Klas Albin Klasén did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a third-class passenger, his chances of escape were significantly lower than those in the upper classes. The official record shows:

• Survived: No
• Body Recovered: No (or never identified)

Klasén perished along with his niece Gertrude and sister-in-law Hulda. The bodies of the three family members were never identified, if they were recovered at all.

Legacy and Impact

While Klas Albin Klasén’s life was cut short at the young age of 18 (eighteen), his story serves as a poignant reminder of the many dreams and aspirations that were lost in the Titanic disaster. He represents the countless young immigrants who sought a better life in America but never reached their destination.

Remembering the Third-Class Passengers

Klasén’s story highlights the often-overlooked experiences of third-class passengers on the Titanic. These individuals, many of whom were immigrants like Klasén, faced the lowest survival rates during the disaster.

Klas Albin Klasén’s tale, though tragic, contributes to our understanding of the human cost of the Titanic disaster and the impact it had on families and communities across Europe and America.