Miss Velin Matilda Öhman

Who was Velin Matilda Öhman?

Miss Velin Matilda Öhman was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Swedish passenger who survived the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on March 14, 1890, in Eks, Mariestad, Västergötland, Sweden, Velin’s life would be forever changed by her fateful journey aboard the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Background

A Challenging Childhood

Velin Matilda Öhman’s early years were marked by unconventional circumstances:

• Born as an illegitimate child to Johanna Sofia Öhman (b. 1863)
• Fostered at a young age by Peter and Matilda Johnson of Eks, Mariestad
• Grew up in Sweden before deciding to embark on a journey to America

The Titanic Journey

Why did Velin board the Titanic?

Velin boarded the Titanic in Southampton, Hampshire, England as a third-class passenger. Her ultimate destination was Chicago, Illinois, where she claimed to be meeting her uncle, Henry Forsander. In reality, Henry was her fiancé, adding an element of romance and secrecy to her voyage.

Ticket and Travel Details

• Ticket Number: 347085
• Fare: £7 15s 6d (7 pounds, 15 shillings, and 6 pence)
• Embarkation Point: Southampton

Interestingly, reports suggest that Velin was traveling with a woman and her child, though their identities remain uncertain. Some speculate they may have been Elna and Telma Ström.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Velin survive the sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Velin Öhman found herself fighting for survival as the Titanic began to sink. Her rescue came in the form of Collapsible C, one of the last lifeboats to leave the doomed ship.

Key details of her rescue:

1. Rescued alongside her acquaintance, Hilda Hellström
2. Shared a hip flask of brandy in the lifeboat to calm their nerves and keep warm
3. Reportedly clad only in her nightdress and slippers during the evacuation

As a third-class survivor, Velin’s escape was nothing short of miraculous, given the lower survival rates among steerage passengers.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience shape Velin’s future?

Upon reaching New York City, Velin continued her journey to Chicago, where her life took several significant turns:

• Anglicized her name to Vivian
• Married Henry Forsander (b. May 19, 1883, in Sweden) who had emigrated in 1910
• Had one daughter, Elsie, born on September 13, 1916 (later Carson, 1916-2009)
• Settled in Chicago, where Henry worked as a pattern maker and later as a watchman

A New Life in America

The Öhman-Forsander family’s journey in America can be traced through various records:

Final Years and Legacy

Velin Öhman’s later life was marked by both personal loss and a continued connection to her Titanic experience:

• Widowed on July 24, 1963, when Henry passed away
• Lived with her daughter in her final years
• Suffered from a heart ailment in her later life
• Died on November 19, 1966, at the age of 76 (seventy-six) in the Little Company of Mary Hospital, Chicago

An intriguing final note about Velin comes from her obituary:

Just days before her death, Velin watched the 1953 film “Titanic” on television but was unable to finish viewing it before going to bed.

This poignant detail highlights how the events of April 1912 remained a significant part of her life story until the very end.

Velin Matilda Öhman and her husband Henry Forsander found their final resting place in Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery in Chicago, a quiet end to a life that had been touched by one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.