Mr Oscar Wilhelm Johansson

Who was Oscar Wilhelm Johansson?

Oscar Wilhelm Johansson was a 32 (thirty-two) year-old Swedish seaman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 8, 1879, in Lunna, Myckleby, on Orust Island near Gothenburg, Sweden, Johansson’s life was shaped by his maritime career and his remarkable experience as a Titanic survivor.

Early Life and Maritime Career

Family Background

Oscar Wilhelm Johansson was born into a seafaring family:

Father: Johan Olsson (a skipper)
Mother: Maria Emanuelsdotter
Brothers: Olof and John

Beginning of His Maritime Journey

Johansson’s maritime career began on his father’s vessel:

First sailed on the schooner “Edit” from Uddevalla
Worked under his father’s command

American Adventure

In the early 1900s, Johansson embarked on a new chapter in his life:

Emigrated to the United States
Worked on ore ships in the Great Lakes
Primarily sailed under Norwegian skipper Petersen

The Titanic Journey

Why was Johansson on the Titanic?

Oscar Wilhelm Johansson boarded the Titanic with a specific goal in mind. After returning to Sweden in 1911 and marrying Maria Abrahamson on New Year’s Eve, he found that earnings were low on Orust. This economic situation prompted him to seek better opportunities abroad.

Contacted Captain Petersen, who promised him a position on the “Bulgaria”
Booked passage on the Titanic as a stepping stone to this new job

Titanic Boarding Details

Detail	Information
Class	3rd Class
Port of Embarkation	Southampton
Ticket Number	347079
Fare	£6 7s

Travel Companions

Johansson did not travel alone. He was accompanied by two fellow Swedes:

Tragically, of the three, only Oscar Wilhelm Johansson would survive the disaster.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Johansson Survive?

While the exact details of Johansson’s rescue are unclear, we know that he survived the sinking. The lifeboat he escaped in is unknown, but his actions immediately after rescue provide insight into his experience:

He recalled that on reaching the Carpathia he went down to the engine room to get warm again.

This statement suggests that Johansson, like many survivors, suffered from the cold during the rescue operation.

First Actions After Rescue

Upon reaching New York, Johansson’s first thought was of his wife:

Sent a telegram to his wife with the simple message: “Saved, Oscar.”
Received $50 from the Woman’s Relief Committee in New York

Post-Titanic Life

Immediate Aftermath

Johansson’s life after the Titanic disaster was marked by further adventures and challenges:

Assisted a fellow survivor, a young boy, in finding his parents
Was briefly reported missing, leading to a newspaper article titled “Man saved from Titanic, lost between New York and Detroit”
Missed his opportunity to join the “Bulgaria” due to delays
Signed onto another ship, which reportedly ran aground and sank
Experienced health issues, including stomach problems and nervousness, following these incidents

Return to Sweden

In 1918, Johansson returned to his homeland:

Worked as a rigger at the Allmag shipyard on the West coast of Sweden
Later, he and his wife ran a family hotel

Legacy and Final Years

Oscar Wilhelm Johansson lived a long life after surviving the Titanic disaster. He passed away on April 5, 1967, at the age of 87 (eighty-seven), at Trolltorp Old People’s Home on Orust.

His story serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and provides valuable insight into the experiences of third-class passengers during one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.