Miss Manta Josefina Nieminen

Who was Manta Josefina Nieminen?

Miss Manta Josefina Nieminen was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old Finnish servant who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on December 15, 1882, she was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to start a new life in America when disaster struck.

Early Life and Background

A Life of Service from a Young Age

Manta Josefina Nieminen was born to Selim and Maria Nieminen in Karinainen, near Turku, Finland. Her early life was marked by hard work and dedication to her family:

• Began working as a maid at the age of 9 (nine)
• Traveled abroad for work opportunities
• Returned to Finland in the autumn of 1911
• Supported her parents financially since the age of 18 (eighteen)

“Since the age of 18 she had supported her parents with a yearly sum of 100 Fmk. ($19/£3 19s).” - Letter from Nieminen’s parents to Finnish authorities

Family Support and Work Ethic

Manta’s strong work ethic and commitment to her family were evident throughout her life:

• Contributed 100 Finnish Markka annually to her parents (equivalent to $19 or £3 19s)
• Worked on her parents’ farm from January to March 1912
• Her parents relied on her future economic support from her work in America

The Titanic Journey

Why was Manta Josefina Nieminen on the Titanic?

Manta Josefina Nieminen boarded the Titanic in Southampton, England, with dreams of starting a new life in America. Her destination was Aberdeen, Washington, where she hoped to find work and continue supporting her family back in Finland.

Travel Details

A Case of Mistaken Identity

An interesting twist in Manta’s story involves a mix-up by the White Star Line:

• White Star records incorrectly listed her destination as “c/o Doyno Ivanoff P.O. Box 284, Coon Rapids Iowa”
• This address actually belonged to another passenger, Ivan Mineff from Bulgaria
• The company mistakenly believed Nieminen to be Bulgarian
• Her true destination, Aberdeen, Washington, was confirmed when she purchased her ticket

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Manta Josefina Nieminen on the night of April 14-15, 1912?

Tragically, Manta Josefina Nieminen did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. As a third-class passenger, her chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class.

• Her body was never recovered from the Atlantic Ocean
• She was just 29 (twenty-nine) years old at the time of her death
• Manta became one of the many victims of the Titanic disaster

Legacy and Impact

Financial Aftermath

The sinking of the Titanic had significant financial implications for Manta’s family:

• Manta had 300 Finnish Markka ($57/£11 16s) in cash with her
• Her luggage was valued at 200 Finnish Markka ($38/£7 18s)
• Her parents attempted to reclaim the value of her possessions from the White Star Line
• The White Star Line paid £50 in compensation to her parents

A Life Cut Short

Manta Josefina Nieminen’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives tragically cut short by the Titanic disaster. Her journey represents the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants seeking a better life in America, only to have those dreams shattered by one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

How is Manta Josefina Nieminen remembered today?

Today, Manta Josefina Nieminen is remembered as one of the many third-class victims of the Titanic. Her story serves as a testament to the hardworking spirit of immigrants and the devastating impact of the disaster on families across the world. Through historical records and memorials, her memory lives on, ensuring that the sacrifices of passengers like Manta are not forgotten in the annals of maritime history.