Mrs Sigrid Lindström: A Swedish Noblewoman’s Titanic Tale

Who was Sigrid Lindström?

Mrs Sigrid Lindström was a 55 (fifty-five) year-old Swedish first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born into nobility on December 18, 1856, she survived the ship’s tragic sinking and lived a long life until her passing in 1946. Her journey on the Titanic and subsequent survival make her a notable figure in the ship’s history.

Early Life and Noble Background

A Daughter of Swedish Nobility

Sigrid Lindström, née Posse, was born into a prominent Swedish family. Her father, Count Knut Lage Fredriksson Posse, was a Major General in the Swedish army, while her mother was Louisa Aminoff. This aristocratic background shaped Sigrid’s early years and social standing.

Key family members included:

Father: Count Knut Lage Fredriksson Posse (1821-1900)
Mother: Louisa Aminoff (1829-1890)
Uncle: Arvid Posse (served as Swedish Premier from 1880 to 1883)

Siblings and Family Life

Sigrid grew up with three siblings:

Ebba (born September 4, 1853)
Arvid (born April 14, 1855)
Christer (born December 5, 1858, died 1886 in the Congo)

Marriage and Family

On July 24, 1888, Sigrid married Captain Carl Johan Lindström, born on July 21, 1849, in Växjö. The couple had three daughters:

Sigrid (born August 23, 1889, in Linköping)
Ebba (born August 7, 1892, in Linköping; died June 2, 1893)
Mary (born October 25, 1894, in Linköping)

The family lived in various Swedish cities, including Växjö, Linköping, and finally settling in Stockholm in 1910.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Sigrid Lindström on the Titanic?

In 1912, Sigrid Lindström, then living at Östermalmsgatan 20, Stockholm, embarked on a journey to New York City. Her destination was 63 Riverside Drive, where she planned to visit a Mrs. Norbert, possibly a sister.

Titanic Boarding Details

Class: First Class
Ticket Number: 112377
Fare: £27 14s 5d
Port of Embarkation: Cherbourg

Physical Description

Sigrid Lindström was described as:

Height: 5'4" (162.56 cm)
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Grey
Complexion: Light

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, Mrs. Lindström’s life took a dramatic turn. During the chaos, she met Mauritz Håkan Björnstrom-Steffanson, who escorted her to a lifeboat, possibly Lifeboat 6.

“I got to know Mauritz Håkan Björnstrom-Steffanson, who escorted me to a lifeboat,” Sigrid later recounted.

Survival and Aftermath

How did Sigrid Lindström survive the Titanic disaster?

Thanks to her first-class status and the assistance of Björnstrom-Steffanson, Sigrid Lindström was able to secure a place on a lifeboat, ensuring her survival. She was among the first-class survivors of the Titanic disaster.

Legal Action Against White Star Line

Following her rescue, Mrs. Lindström took legal action against the White Star Line, suing for approximately 6000 francs to compensate for her lost clothes and belongings.

Later Life and Legacy

Life After the Titanic

Sigrid Lindström returned to Sweden after the Titanic disaster. She was widowed in 1917 when her husband, Carl Lindström, passed away.

Final Years and Death

Mrs. Lindström lived a long life after her Titanic experience. She passed away on November 3, 1946, in Lidingö, an island in the Stockholm archipelago, at the age of 89 (eighty-nine).

A Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, reported her death:

“Mrs. Sigrid Lindström, nee Posse, Stockholm, passed away this Sunday. The deceased, who was nearly 90 years old, was born in Ängelholm, the daughter of Count Knut Lage Posse, Major, and his wife, nee Aminoff. Since 1917, she was the widow of Carl Lindström, Captain of the First Grenadiers. She leaves children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

Final Resting Place

Sigrid Lindström was buried on November 11, 1946, at Norra begravningsplatsen (Northern Cemetery) in Stockholm. Her husband, Carl Johan Lindström, had been buried in the same grave in 1917. Unfortunately, the lease on the grave ended in 1969, and it no longer exists.

Sigrid Lindström’s Titanic Legacy

Sigrid Lindström’s story exemplifies the experiences of first-class passengers on the Titanic. Her survival, subsequent legal action, and long life following the disaster provide valuable insights into the aftermath of the tragedy for those who lived through it. As one of the Swedish survivors, her tale adds to the international narrative of the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage.