Mr Olaf Elon Osén

Who was Olaf Elon Osén?

Mr Olaf Elon Osén was a 16 (sixteen) year-old Swedish farm labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 24, 1895, in Ön, Hedesunda, Gästrikland, Sweden, Osén was one of the many third-class passengers who embarked on the ill-fated voyage in search of a better life in America.

Early Life and Family Background

A Humble Beginning

Olaf Elon Osén came from a modest background in rural Sweden. He was the son of Erik Olsson Osén and Erika Didia Andersdotter, and grew up in a large family with several siblings:

Erik
Berta
Olof
Einar
Addie
Judit
Östen
Elvin

The Osén family faced significant hardships, including the loss of three children at a young age. Despite these challenges, they persevered, and in 1914, after Olaf’s passing, another child named Rut was born into the family.

Financial Struggles

The Osén household was marked by poverty, which likely influenced Olaf’s decision to seek opportunities abroad. His father worked as a labourer, but tragedy struck in November 1912 when he suffered a stroke that reduced his ability to work by 50%. This event underscored the family’s reliance on the potential support Olaf could have provided from America.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Life

Olaf Elon Osén boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. His ticket, numbered 7534, cost £9 4s 4d, a significant sum for a young man from a poor family. Osén was traveling to Ethan, South Dakota, where he planned to connect with Nils Tilberg, possibly a family friend or potential employer.

A Borrowed Dream

To finance his journey, Olaf borrowed 500 Kr (Swedish Kronor), with his father acting as guarantor. This loan represented not just Olaf’s dreams but the hopes of his entire family. He had promised to support his parents from the United States, a common aspiration for many immigrants of the time.

Fate During the Disaster

The Tragic Night

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Olaf Elon Osén, like many other third-class passengers, faced overwhelming odds in his struggle for survival. Despite his youth and likely physical fitness as a farm labourer, Osén did not survive the sinking.

A Body Never Found

In the aftermath of the disaster, Olaf’s body was never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. This lack of closure added to the profound grief experienced by his family back in Sweden.

Legacy and Impact

Financial Compensation

Following the tragedy, the Osén family received financial compensation:

The Mansion House Fund paid 875.52 Kr (£48) to Olaf’s parents
Damage claims amounting to 1366.50 Kr (£75) were paid to his parents on August 20, 1914

While this money could never replace their lost son, it provided some financial relief to the struggling family, especially in light of the father’s reduced ability to work.

A Family’s Enduring Loss

The loss of Olaf Elon Osén had a lasting impact on his family. His potential earnings and support could have significantly improved their circumstances. Instead, they were left to cope with the loss of a son, brother, and their hopes for a better future.

Connections to Other Passengers

Olaf Elon Osén was known to have a connection with Alfred Ossian Gustafsson, another passenger on the Titanic. The nature of their relationship is unclear, but it’s possible they were acquaintances or fellow travelers from Sweden.

Remembering Olaf Elon Osén

Olaf Elon Osén’s story is a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations carried by many of the Titanic’s passengers. At just 16 years old, he represented the hope of a better life not just for himself, but for his entire family. His untimely death at such a young age serves as a stark illustration of the human cost of the Titanic disaster, particularly among the third-class passengers who faced the greatest obstacles to survival.