Mrs Maria Mathilda Backström

Who was Maria Mathilda Backström?

Maria Mathilda Backström, née Gustafsson, was a 33 (thirty-three) year-old Finnish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 28, 1878, in Finland, she was one of the fortunate survivors of the tragic maritime disaster. As a third-class passenger, her story offers a unique perspective on the experiences of those traveling in steerage during the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Background

Maria Mathilda Gustafsson was born into a large Finnish family. Her parents were Karl Fredrik and Maria Lovisa Gustafsson. Growing up, she was surrounded by siblings:

• Emilia Sofia (b. May 12, 1870)
• Mathilda (b. November 17, 1871)
• Karl Viktor (b. October 24, 1872)
• Anders Vilhelm Gustafsson (b. April 5, 1875)
• Edla Kristina (b. November 24, 1880)
• Johan Birger Gustafsson (b. June 15, 1883)
• Elin Kristina (b. July 3, 1885)
• Fredrik Hjalmar (b. June 23, 1892)

A Previous Journey to America

Before her fateful Titanic voyage, Maria had already experienced life in the United States. She had made a previous visit to America but returned to her homeland of Finland. This earlier exposure to American life would prove significant in shaping her decisions during and after the Titanic disaster.

Marriage and Life in Finland

In 1911, Maria married her childhood friend, Karl Alfred Backström. The couple settled in Kejtala, Strömfors (now known as Ruotsinpyhtää), Finland, where they began their life together.

The Titanic Journey

Why did the Backströms embark on their Titanic voyage?

In 1912, just a year after their marriage, Karl and Maria (who was six months pregnant at the time) decided to travel to America. They were accompanied by Maria’s brothers, Johan Birger Gustafsson and Anders Vilhelm Gustafsson.

Their journey began with a trip from Hangö to Hull aboard the Polaris. On April 3, 1912, Maria wrote a letter home, expressing that their trip had gone well thus far. Little did they know that their next leg of the journey would be aboard the ill-fated Titanic.

Titanic Embarkation Details

The Night of the Disaster

How did Maria survive the Titanic sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Maria was initially reluctant to enter a lifeboat. Her husband, Karl, persuaded her to board one of the last lifeboats, promising to follow on the next one. Maria, wearing only a nightdress and a lifebelt, shivered as she entered the lifeboat.

“She was shivering because she only had a nightdress and lifebelt on.”

Tragically, Karl was unable to find another boat and perished when the ship went down. Maria’s brothers, Johan and Anders, also lost their lives in the disaster.

Aftermath and Return to Finland

What happened to Maria after her rescue?

After her arrival in New York, Maria was housed in the Union League Home along with fellow survivor Erna Andersson. Despite being in America, Maria did not wish to stay. The White Star Line paid for her return trip to Finland.

On May 9, 1912, less than a month after the disaster, Maria returned to Finland aboard the F.Å.A.’s Urania. In June of the same year, she gave birth to her daughter, Alfhild Maria.

Red Cross Assistance

The Red Cross provided significant support to Maria in the aftermath of the disaster:

• She received $300 and clothing while in New York
• An additional £100 was paid from English funds
• Her case was referred to the English Red Cross for further assistance

Legacy and Later Life

Maria Backström’s life after the Titanic was marked by resilience and a return to her roots. She chose to live in Kejtala, the same town where she had resided with her husband before the ill-fated voyage.

How long did Maria live after the Titanic disaster?

Maria Backström lived for 35 years after surviving the Titanic. She passed away on June 30, 1947, at the age of 68 (sixty-eight). Her final resting place is in Ahvenkosken Hautausmaa, Loviisa, Finland.

Maria’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of the Titanic disaster. Her survival, the loss of her husband and brothers, and her journey back to Finland with an unborn child encapsulate the complex and often tragic narratives of many third-class survivors of the Titanic.