Marija ČAČIĆ was a 36 (thirty-six) year-old Croatian passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on May 1, 1875, she was a single woman working as a farm laborer who embarked on a journey to start a new life in America. Tragically, her dreams were cut short when she perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.
Early Life and Background
What was Marija’s life like before the Titanic?
Marija ČAČIĆ hailed from Kula, Croatia, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. As an unmarried woman in her mid-thirties, she had spent her life working as a farm laborer. Her decision to leave her homeland for America was likely motivated by the prospect of better opportunities and a chance to improve her circumstances.
Marija’s journey represented the hopes and aspirations of many European immigrants seeking a new life across the Atlantic.
The Titanic Journey
How did Marija come to be on the Titanic?
Marija ČAČIĆ boarded the Titanic at Southampton, England, along with three members of her family, including her presumed brother, Jego Grga Čačić. They were bound for South Chicago, Illinois, where they likely had connections or prospects of employment.
Ticket and Travel Details
Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: 315084
Fare: £8 13s 3d (8 pounds, 13 shillings, and 3 pence)
Interestingly, Marija purchased her ticket from an agent named Johann Isidor Büchel in Buchs, Switzerland, for 864 Swiss francs. This detail gives us insight into the complex network of ticket agents and the routes many European immigrants took to book their passage to America.
Fate During the Disaster
What happened to Marija on the night of April 14-15, 1912?
Tragically, Marija ČAČIĆ 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. The chaos and confusion of the disaster, combined with the limited access to lifeboats for third-class passengers, likely contributed to her inability to escape the sinking ship.
The loss of Marija ČAČIĆ had a profound impact on her family back in Croatia. Her mother, Anna Cacić, received £50 from the relief fund established to aid the families of Titanic victims. This sum, while unable to compensate for the loss of a loved one, would have provided some financial assistance to the family during their time of grief.
Were other family members affected?
Marija was not the only member of her family to perish in the disaster. Her presumed brother, Jego Grga Čačić, also did not survive. Additionally, two other individuals with the surname Čačić were among the victims:
While the exact relationships between all these individuals are not clear from the available information, their shared surname and travel arrangements suggest a family group tragically torn apart by the disaster.
Remembering Marija ČAČIĆ
Marija ČAČIĆ’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. At 36 years old, she represented the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants seeking a better life across the ocean. Her journey, which began with promise in Croatia and ended tragically in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, serves as a testament to the human cost of the Titanic’s sinking and the enduring impact it had on families and communities around the world.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.