Miss Lyyli Karoliina Silvén

Who was Lyyli Karoliina Silvén?

Lyyli Karoliina Silvén was a 17 (seventeen) year-old Finnish passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on June 11, 1894, in Tornio, Lappi, Finland, Lyyli was a second-class passenger traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota, under the care of her relatives.

Early Life and Background

What was Lyyli’s family like?

Lyyli Karoliina Silvén came from a Finnish family with a customs officer father:

Father: Aleksanteri Nikolai Silvén (1870-1924), customs officer
Mother: Anna Karoliina Karjalainen (1859-1921)
Siblings:
- Lilly Sofia (b. 1896)
- Bror Sigurd Aleksander (b. 1897)
- Lauri Johannes (b. 1900)
- Johan Ferdinand (b. 1902)

As the eldest child, Lyyli likely had responsibilities within her family from a young age.

The Titanic Journey

How did Lyyli come to be on the Titanic?

Lyyli boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. She was traveling under the care of her relatives, the Finnish-American couple William Lahtinen and his wife Anna Amelia Lahtinen. Her ticket number was 250652, which cost £13.

“Lyyli was leaving her native Finland and travelling to Minneapolis, Minnesota under the care of relatives, the Finnish-American couple William Lahtinen and his wife Anna, née Sylfvén.”

During the voyage, Lyyli shared a cabin with another Finnish girl, Anna Sinkkonen.

The Night of the Disaster

What was Lyyli’s experience during the sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Lyyli’s experience unfolded as follows:

Attended a “dance” in second class
Retired to her cabin and was asleep at the time of collision
Awakened by the impact along with Miss Sinkkonen
Left the cabin to find her relatives
Returned to fetch Anna and prepare for evacuation
Forced out of their cabin by a steward before fully organizing

It appears that Lyyli and Miss Sinkkonen became separated during the evacuation. Lyyli recalled seeing the Lahtinens on the boat deck, with Mrs. Lahtinen appearing very nervous. Although Lyyli described entering the ’last lifeboat’, it is believed she actually left in Lifeboat 12.

Survival and Post-Titanic Life

What happened to Lyyli after the Titanic?

After her rescue, Lyyli’s journey continued:

Arrived in New York and was quartered in a Jewish “Welcome Home” on 225 East 13th Street
Traveled to Hancock, Michigan to stay with her uncle Carl Albert Sylfvén
Eventually moved to San Francisco

How did Lyyli’s life unfold after the Titanic?

Lyyli’s post-Titanic life was marked by several significant events:

Year	Event
1919	Married widower Otto Wilhelm Mailanen
1920	Settled in Vallejo, California
1930s	Moved to Berkeley, California
1939	Visited Finland during the onset of the Winter War
1967	Widowed on January 6
1974	Passed away on February 5 in Berkeley

Lyyli and her husband Otto raised his daughter, Aune Josephine, from his previous marriage. They lived in various locations in California, including Vallejo and Berkeley.

Legacy and Impact

How is Lyyli Silvén remembered?

Lyyli Karoliina Silvén’s story is a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors. As a young Finnish immigrant, she not only survived one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history but also went on to build a life in America. Her experience provides valuable insights into the second-class passenger experience on the Titanic and the challenges faced by survivors in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Lyyli’s life spanned from the late 19th century to the latter half of the 20th century, allowing her to witness significant historical events and changes. Her return visits to Finland, including one during the onset of the Winter War, highlight her connection to her homeland even as she built a new life in the United States.

Today, Lyyli and her husband rest in El Cerrito Cemetery in Berkeley, California, leaving behind a legacy that connects the Titanic’s history to the broader story of 20th-century immigration and resilience.