Mr Mauritz ÅDAHL

Who was Mauritz Ådahl?

Mauritz Ådahl was a 30 (thirty) year-old Swedish carpenter who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on June 15, 1881, in Asarum, Blekinge County, Sweden, Ådahl’s journey on the ill-fated ship was part of his plan to return to America and earn money for his family’s new home in Sweden.

Early Life and Background

Swedish Roots and Family

Mauritz Ådahl was born to Ola Månsson, a carpenter, and Elna Persdotter Ådahl. He grew up in Asarum with his sister Ellen, who was born on February 28, 1879. Following in his father’s footsteps, Mauritz became a skilled carpenter.

Life in America and Marriage

In 1903, at the age of 22 (twenty-two), Mauritz emigrated to the United States, settling in Manhattan. Four years later, on October 6, 1907, he married Emelie Josefina Kristina Grönlund, a native of Umeå, Sweden. The couple started their family in Brooklyn, New York, where they had two daughters:

Vera Margareta Elisabeth (born October 13, 1908)
Georgia Emelia Maria (born February 22, 1910)

The Ådahl family were Lutherans, maintaining their religious traditions in their new home.

Return to Sweden and Plans for the Future

Why did the Ådahl family leave America?

Emelie Ådahl never felt comfortable living in America. In early 1911, she returned to Sweden with their two young daughters. Mauritz followed later that year, after his father passed away on May 25, 1911.

The family resettled in Asarum, where they planned to build a house. Mauritz continued his work as a carpenter and helped support his widowed mother. However, their plans required more funds, leading to Mauritz’s fateful decision to return to America to earn additional money for their new home.

The Titanic Journey

How did Mauritz Ådahl end up on the Titanic?

Mauritz’s return journey to the USA took an unexpected turn. He traveled with John Holm, and on their way to Denmark, they met Adelia Landergren from Karlshamn. The trio had not initially planned to sail on the Titanic, but due to a coal strike, they were transferred to the now-famous vessel.

“None of them had originally planned to take the Titanic but due to the recent coal strike they were transferred.”

Titanic Boarding Details

Detail	Information
Passenger Class	3rd Class
Port of Embarkation	Southampton
Ticket Number	C 7076
Fare	£7 5s

Mauritz and his companions boarded the Titanic as third-class passengers in Southampton on April 10, 1912.

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to Mauritz Ådahl when the Titanic sank?

After the Titanic’s collision with the iceberg, Mauritz and John Holm helped Adelia Landergren reach the boat deck and saw her safely into lifeboat 13. Tragically, neither Mauritz nor John followed her into the lifeboat.

Mauritz Ådahl perished in the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett, recorded as body number 72. The recovery revealed poignant details about his final moments:

His watch had stopped at 2:34 AM, 14 minutes after the Titanic sank.
He was wearing a dark suit, brown socks, and a striped shirt with a singlet marked “M.A.”
Personal effects included a silver watch and chain, pipe, book, comb, knife, key chain, sleeve-links, a ring marked “MA,” and 100 kroner.

Mauritz was buried at sea on April 24, 1912.

Legacy and Impact

How was Mauritz Ådahl’s family affected by his loss?

The Mansion House Fund provided financial support to Ådahl’s family:

1784.58 Kr (£98) to his wife and children on January 23, 1913
509.8 Kr (£28) to his mother on the same day
Additional damages of 6006 Kr (£325) were paid to the wife, children, and mother on October 10, 1914

Despite this assistance, Emelie Ådahl faced significant hardships after Mauritz’s death. She lived in destitution and resorted to sewing flags to earn a living. Emelie passed away in 1947, never having revealed to her children that their father was buried at sea.

A Surprising Discovery

Years later, when the Ådahl grandchildren planned to visit what they believed was Mauritz’s grave in Halifax, they were shocked to discover the truth about his burial at sea. This revelation highlights the long-lasting impact of the Titanic disaster on families and the complexities of grief and memory.

In a touching tribute, during a recent expedition on the vessel Nadir, a wreath-laying ceremony was held on deck in memory of Mauritz Ådahl, symbolizing the enduring remembrance of those lost in the Titanic tragedy.

Mauritz Ådahl’s story remains a poignant reminder of the dreams, hopes, and lives cut short by the Titanic disaster, and the lasting impact on the families left behind.