Mr Marius Petersen

Who was Marius Petersen?

Marius Petersen was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old Danish dairy worker who boarded the RMS Titanic as a third-class passenger. Born on July 19, 1887, in Tåglund, Nysted, Maribo County, Denmark, Petersen’s life was tragically cut short when he perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

A Challenging Childhood

Marius Petersen’s early years were marked by instability and frequent changes in his living situation. Born to an unmarried mother, Karen Sophie Petersen, his childhood experiences included:

• Christened on February 19, 1888, in the Church of Denmark tradition in Maribo
• Lived as a foster son with different families throughout his youth
• In 1890, resided with Rasmus and Birthe Clausen in Saksköbing, Musse, Maribo
• By 1901, moved to Vester Ulslev, Musse, Maribo, living with farmer Rasmus Nielsen and his wife Karen

Early Career

As Petersen entered adulthood, he pursued a career in the dairy industry:

• 1906: Worked as a milk driver in Birket, Toreby, Maribo, Denmark
• 1911: Employed as a dairy worker (mejerist) in Femö, Fuglse, Maribo

The Journey to Titanic

Why did Marius Petersen leave Denmark?

Sometime between late 1911 and early 1912, Marius Petersen made the decision to emigrate from Denmark to England. This move would ultimately lead him to book passage on the ill-fated Titanic, bound for America.

Titanic Boarding Details

The Fateful Voyage

A Twist of Fate

In a surprising turn of events, a local newspaper, the West Middlesex Gazette, reported on April 19, 1912:

An extremely fortunate eleventh-hour decision prevented a Southall man from being involved in the terrible calamity that on Sunday night befell the “Titanic.” Mr. Marius Petersen left his many friends in Southall with the intention of journeying to America on the ill-fated liner, on which be had already booked his passage. On learning the awful news of the disaster, and seeing Mr. Petersen’s name included in the list of third-class passengers published on Wednesday, his Southall friends were quite prepared for the worst. They were overjoyed, however, when later on in the day they received a letter from him, dated from a port in Holland, in which he stated that he had altered his mind and was not going to America for a month or two, and that he intended to endeavour to get the White Star Company to vary the date of his ticket.

What really happened to Marius Petersen?

Despite the newspaper report suggesting Petersen had changed his plans, historical records indicate that he did, in fact, board the Titanic and perished in the sinking. This discrepancy highlights the chaos and misinformation that often surrounded the tragedy in its immediate aftermath.

Marius Petersen’s Fate

Tragically, Marius Petersen did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body was never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. At just 24 (twenty-four) years old, Petersen’s life and his dreams of a new start in America were cut short on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.

Remembering Marius Petersen

While Marius Petersen’s life was brief, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the many third-class passengers whose lives were lost in the Titanic disaster. His journey from a challenging childhood in Denmark to his final voyage on the Titanic exemplifies the hopes and aspirations of countless immigrants seeking a better life in America during the early 20th century.

Today, Marius Petersen is remembered among the victims of the Titanic, his name etched in history alongside the many others who perished in one of the most famous maritime disasters of all time.