Nikola Lulić: A Survivor’s Tale from the Titanic

Who was Nikola Lulić?

Nikola Lulić was a 29 (twenty-nine) year-old Serbian-Croatian passenger who survived the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on February 24, 1883, in the small village of Konjsko Brdo in the Lika region of Croatia, Lulić’s life would be forever changed by his experience aboard the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Military Service

From Croatia to America

• Born in 1883 in Konjsko Brdo, Croatia
• Served in the Austrian Army in 1902
• Deserted the army and emigrated to America
• Settled in Chisholm, Minnesota, working as a miner in the “Alpena Mine”

Nikola Lulić’s journey from a small Croatian village to the shores of America was marked by bold decisions and a desire for a better life. His choice to desert the Austrian Army in 1902 set him on a path that would eventually lead him to board the Titanic.

Family Life and Return to Croatia

In autumn 1911, Lulić returned to Croatia for a six-month visit with his family. By this time, he had already been married twice:

1. First wife: Manda (marriage lasted 7 years)
2. Second wife: Marta (current wife at the time of the Titanic voyage)

Lulić’s second wife, Marta, and their two children remained in Croatia while he prepared to return to America.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Nikola Lulić on the Titanic?

Nikola Lulić boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger, returning to his life in Chisholm, Minnesota. Interestingly, he served as an unofficial companion to other emigrants, who paid for his ticket in exchange for his assistance with translation and advice about life in America.

Ticket Details:

• Ticket Number: 315098
• Fare: £8 13s 3d (170 Swiss francs)
• Ticket Agent: Johann Isidor Büchel, Buchs

The Fateful Night and Survival

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, Nikola Lulić managed to survive the disaster. His survival story, as recounted by his companion Jan Jalsevac, is both ingenious and daring:

“As to my friend Nikola Lulic, I have to say, that he was rescued by fetching the cap of a sailor, which he put on his head. So he could make his way to a boat.”

Lulić was rescued by the RMS Carpathia in lifeboat 15, one of the last to leave the sinking ship.

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

After arriving in New York, Lulić:

• Went to his uncle Ross Rosinic at 118 Tocence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
• Adopted the Americanized name “Nicola Lulich”
• Toured giving lectures about his Titanic experience

Return to Croatia

Following World War I, Nikola Lulić made the decision to return to Croatia permanently. His life after returning home was characterized by:

• Working as a farmer in Croatia
• Seasonal work in France between the wars, accompanied by his two sons
• The loss of his wife Marta, leaving him to care for the children from both his marriages
• Increasing seclusion from fellow villagers in his later years

Legacy and Final Years

Nikola Lulić’s life was profoundly impacted by his Titanic experience, shaping not only his personal story but also contributing to the broader narrative of the disaster. In his final years:

• He became increasingly reclusive
• Cared for his many children alone after the death of his wife
• Passed away on September 20, 1962, at the age of 79 (seventy-nine)
• Died in Perušić, Croatia, in the home of his youngest daughter, Mara
• Buried in Perušić Cemetery, Croatia

Nikola Lulić’s remarkable journey from a small Croatian village to the decks of the Titanic and back again serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the far-reaching impact of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.