Mr Pekka Pietari Hakkarainen

Mr Pekka Pietari Hakkarainen was a 28 (twenty-eight) year-old Finnish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on January 1, 1884, in Kuopio, Savonia, Finland, Hakkarainen was a third-class passenger who tragically lost his life in the infamous maritime disaster of April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

What was Hakkarainen’s life like before the Titanic?

Pekka Pietari Hakkarainen was born to Heikki Hakkarainen and Maria Rasanen in Finland. His early years were spent in his native country before he embarked on a life-changing journey to the United States. Here are some key points about his background:

• Emigrated to the USA around 1905
• Settled in Monessen, Pennsylvania
• Worked as a foreman in a steel mill, earning $5 a day
• Married Elin Mathilda Dolk, a Finnish-American from Quincy, Massachusetts

A Brief Return to Finland

In a twist of fate, Hakkarainen returned to Finland for his wedding. He and Elin were married on January 15, 1912, just three months before the Titanic disaster. Their stay in Finland was intentionally brief due to a looming threat:

A prolonged stay may have meant Pekka being conscripted into the Russian Army.

This urgency to return to America would ultimately lead the newlyweds to book passage on the Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

How did Hakkarainen end up on the Titanic?

Initially, Pekka and Elin had planned to return to the USA aboard the Mauretania. However, they changed their minds and decided to book passage on the Titanic instead. This fateful decision would have profound consequences.

Titanic Boarding Details:

The Night of the Disaster

On the night of April 14, 1912, Pekka and Elin were asleep in their cabin when disaster struck. Elin later described the collision as “a strong vibration and a scratching noise.” The events that followed were chaotic and tragic:

1. Pekka got up to investigate the commotion
2. Elin fell back asleep, expecting her husband’s return
3. Upon waking later, Elin realized Pekka had not come back
4. She made her way to the boat deck to search for him
5. Tragically, Elin never saw her husband again

Fate and Legacy

What happened to Pekka Hakkarainen?

Pekka Hakkarainen perished in the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. This tragic end came just three months after his wedding and at the young age of 28 (twenty-eight).

The loss of Pekka Hakkarainen is a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His story, like many others, highlights the human cost of the tragedy and the dreams that were never realized.

Compensation and Aftermath

In the wake of the disaster, Elin Hakkarainen, now a widow, received £50 in compensation for her loss. This sum, while unable to compensate for the loss of a loved one, was part of the broader response to the tragedy.

Remembering Pekka Hakkarainen

Pekka Hakkarainen’s life, though cut short, is a testament to the immigrant experience of the early 20th century. His journey from Finland to Pennsylvania, his brief return home, and his final voyage on the Titanic encapsulate the hopes, dreams, and risks undertaken by many in search of a better life.

As we remember Pekka Hakkarainen, we are reminded of the countless stories of those who boarded the Titanic, each with their own aspirations and reasons for making the journey. His tale serves as a poignant reminder of the human element often overshadowed by the grandeur and tragedy of the Titanic itself.