Mlle Emma Sägesser

Emma Sägesser was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old Swiss woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. She worked as a personal maid to Leontine Pauline “Ninette” Aubart, a young singer, and was traveling in first class on the ill-fated voyage.

Early Life and Background

Emma Sägesser was born on August 16, 1887, in Aarwangen, Switzerland. Her early life was marked by tragedy, as she lost her mother at the age of eleven. Growing up in a large family, Emma had six siblings. For many years, she lived with her sister Rosa in Geneva before moving to Cannes, France in 1908.

How did Emma Sägesser begin her career as a maid?

At the beginning of 1912, Emma found employment as a maid for Leontine Pauline “Ninette” Aubart in Paris. This position would lead to her fateful journey on the Titanic, accompanying her employer on what was supposed to be a luxurious transatlantic voyage.

The Titanic Journey

Emma Sägesser boarded the Titanic as a first-class passenger at Cherbourg, France. She was traveling on ticket number PC 17477, which cost £69 6s. Interestingly, the ticket was paid for by Benjamin Guggenheim, who was Madame Aubart’s lover.

What were Emma’s accommodations on the Titanic?

Emma and Madame Aubart were assigned to cabin B-35, a first-class accommodation. This placement allowed them to experience the luxury and grandeur of the Titanic’s upper-class facilities.

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, Emma’s life would change forever. Here’s a timeline of the events:

1. Around 11 pm: Emma and Madame Aubart went to bed.
2. Shortly after: Emma was awakened by two short bumps.
3. Initially: She thought the ship had run aground and stayed in bed.
4. Later: They put coats over their nightgowns and went to Guggenheim’s stateroom.
5. On the Boat-Deck: They parted ways with Guggenheim.
6. Approximately 1:30 am: Emma and Madame Aubart entered lifeboat 9.

“We will soon see each other again! It’s just a repair. Tomorrow the Titanic will go on again.” - Benjamin Guggenheim to Emma (in German)

Survival and Aftermath

Emma Sägesser was among the survivors of the Titanic disaster. After being rescued by the Carpathia, she comforted Madame Aubart, who had suffered a nervous breakdown. Emma attempted to send a telegram to her sister Bertha in Paris, but due to the overwhelming workload of the operators, it was never transmitted.

What happened to Emma after arriving in New York?

The details of Emma’s stay in New York are unclear. However, we know that she and Madame Aubart returned to Europe on May 3, 1912, aboard the Adriatic, arriving in Liverpool on May 11. From there, they traveled back to Paris, where Emma soon left Madame Aubart’s employment.

Life After the Titanic

Emma’s life took several turns in the years following the Titanic disaster:

• 1917: Lived in St. Gallen, Switzerland
• Later in 1917: Moved to Zürich
• Worked as a saleswoman at stores Globus and Jelmoli
• March 1926: Married Karl Ernst Arnold
• Post-marriage: Ran a cigar shop with her husband at 91 Kanzlei-strasse, Zürich

How did Emma spend her final years?

Emma and her husband lived at 49 An der Schipfe, Zürich. They did not have any children. On May 24, 1964, just a month after her husband’s death, Emma Arnold-Sägesser passed away at the age of 76 (seventy-six).

Emma Sägesser’s Legacy

While Emma Sägesser may not be one of the most well-known Titanic passengers, her story provides a unique perspective on the disaster. As a first-class servant, she straddled the line between the opulent world of the wealthy passengers and the more modest backgrounds of many other survivors.

Emma’s experience highlights the often-overlooked stories of the service staff aboard the Titanic, who played crucial roles in the lives of the first-class passengers and found themselves thrust into an unimaginable situation on that fateful night in April 1912.