Miss Martta Maria Hiltunen

Miss Martta Maria Hiltunen was an 18 (eighteen) year-old Finnish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on February 7, 1894, in Kuopio, Finland, Martta’s journey to America would tragically end in the icy waters of the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Finnish Roots

Who were Martta Hiltunen’s parents?

Martta was born to Pekka Hiltunen (born 1860) and Iida Muinonen (born 1864). The family lived for several years in Kontiolahti, Utra, where young Martta received her education.

What were Martta’s plans for America?

On March 21, 1912, Martta was issued a passport allowing her to work in the United States for five years. Her intention was to serve as a housekeeper for Anna Hämäläinen and her infant son Viljo, who were residents of Detroit, Michigan.

The Titanic Journey

How did Martta begin her fateful voyage?

Martta’s journey to America unfolded in several stages:

1. Departed Finland from Hanko on April 3, 1912, aboard the steamer Polaris
2. Boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912
3. Traveled as a second-class passenger with ticket number 250650

What were the details of Martta’s Titanic passage?

• Class: Second Class
• Ticket Number: 250650
• Fare: £13
• Port of Embarkation: Southampton

It’s believed that Martta may have shared a cabin with the Hämäläinen family during the voyage.

The Night of the Disaster

What happened to Martta during the Titanic’s sinking?

On the tragic night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Martta’s actions paint a picture of both duty and confusion:

1. Anna Hämäläinen entrusted Martta with her suitcase during the evacuation.
2. Martta accompanied Mrs. Hämäläinen and her son to the upper decks.
3. For unknown reasons, Martta did not join the Hämäläinens in a lifeboat.

Mrs. Hämäläinen (referred to as Mrs. Hamlin in some accounts) later recounted:

“Martha was there just a little while before we left, but there was a crowd and so much excitement that we became separated….”

What was Martta’s fate?

Tragically, Martta Hiltunen did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. Her body, if recovered, was never identified. At just 18 (eighteen) years old, Martta’s promising future was cut short in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Legacy and Remembrance

How is Martta Hiltunen remembered today?

While Martta’s life was brief, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. As one of the victims of the Titanic’s second-class passengers, Martta represents the dreams and aspirations of countless immigrants seeking a new life in America, only to have their journeys tragically cut short.

Martta’s connection to the Hämäläinen family, who survived the disaster, provides a bittersweet link between those who perished and those who lived to tell the tale. Her story continues to be shared as part of the broader narrative of the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage, ensuring that the memory of Miss Martta Maria Hiltunen and her fellow passengers lives on more than a century later.