Mr Theodoor De Mulder

Who was Theodoor De Mulder?

Mr Theodoor De Mulder was a 30 (thirty) year-old Belgian farmer who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on September 15, 1881, in Nederhasselt, Belgium, De Mulder’s life would be forever changed by his experience on the ill-fated ship and his subsequent journey in America.

Early Life and Background

A Belgian Farmer’s Humble Beginnings

Theodoor De Mulder grew up in Aspelare, Belgium, where he worked as a farmer. In 1907, he married Jeanette D’Hondt, and the couple had two children. However, the poor living conditions in Belgium drove De Mulder to seek better opportunities across the Atlantic.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Theodoor De Mulder board the Titanic?

Theodoor De Mulder boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger with hopes of working as a farm hand during the sugar beet season near Detroit, Michigan. His ticket (number 345774) cost £9 10s, a significant investment for a man seeking to improve his family’s fortune.

Who were De Mulder’s companions on the Titanic?

During the voyage, De Mulder befriended two other Belgian men:

• Jean Scheerlinckx
• Jules Sap

These three men would later become central figures in the story of Belgian survivors of the Titanic disaster.

The Fateful Night

How did Theodoor De Mulder survive the sinking?

The exact details of De Mulder’s survival remain unclear due to conflicting accounts. However, here are the key points:

• De Mulder claimed to have reached the Boat Deck with Scheerlinckx and Sap
• All three men later stated they had jumped into the sea and were rescued by passing lifeboats
• De Mulder specifically mentioned clinging to a chair he had thrown into the water
• Evidence suggests the three men likely escaped in either lifeboat 11, 13, or 15

“More than likely, much of the evidence seems to indicate that all three men left together in either boats 11, 13 or 15 since a large percentage of third class men escaped in these boats.”

Life After the Titanic

The Immediate Aftermath

Following his rescue, De Mulder’s experiences included:

1. Joining a traveling road show with Sap and Scheerlinckx
2. Receiving $300 from the American Red Cross to support his family
3. Losing all his baggage and money, valued at $200

A New Life in America

Theodoor De Mulder’s post-Titanic journey in America was marked by several significant events:

• Found employment with the Ford Motor Company in Detroit
• Later moved to Canada to take up farming
• Reunited with his wife and two sons in 1921
• Had three more children born in the United States
• Became an American citizen

Return to Belgium

How did the Great Depression affect the De Mulder family?

The economic hardships of the Great Depression in 1929 forced the De Mulders to return to Belgium in 1931. Despite being an American citizen, Theodoor chose to remain in his home country.

The “Titanic” Cafe

Upon settling back in Aspelare, De Mulder made a unique decision:

• Converted his home into a roadside cafe
• Named it “In den TITANIC” (“In the Titanic”)
• The cafe stood as a testament to his experience until 1951 when it was demolished for road widening

Legacy and Remembrance

How is Theodoor De Mulder remembered?

1. Family Legacy: Two of his five sons lived in the United States, two in Canada, and one in the family home in Aspelare.
2. Memorial Cross: In 1912, Mrs. De Mulder erected a cross in Aspelare to:
   • Thank God for saving her husband
   • Honor the memory of those who perished from Denderhoutem
3. Historical Significance: De Mulder’s story remains an important part of the Titanic’s Belgian passenger history.

Theodoor De Mulder passed away on April 19, 1954, at the age of 72 (seventy-two). His journey from a Belgian farmer to a Titanic survivor and his subsequent life in America and Belgium serves as a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation in the face of both tragedy and opportunity.