Encyclopedia Titanica

Malkolm Joackim Johnson

Swedish Titanic Victim

Malkolm Joackim Johnson
Malkolm Joackim Johnson

Mr Malkolm Joackim Johnson (Johansson) "Sever", 33, was born 20 March 1879. His mother Anna Katrina Jonsson (née Svensson) and stepfather Isak Leonard Jonsson lived in Björkaryd, Jönköping, Sweden.

Malkolm Johnson had been many years in the USA. He lived at 814, 7th St. Minneapolis and managed concrete laying on the streets of that city. He was relatively well off, he was able to put up 10000 kronor ($2680) for his brother Wilhelm Nilsson.

Johnson had returned to Sweden to buy a farm at Björkaryd but failed and decided to return to America. According to relatives (1984) he was in a bad temper because he had planned to settle down in Sweden.

He was booked to sail on the Adriatic but was transferred to the Titanic, probably on account of the ongoing coal strike.

Malkolm travelled together with Gustaf Joel Johansson, it is not known if they shared a cabin but he certainly shared a cabin with Oscar Hedman. According to his brother he had sewn $2150 in dollar bills into his socks.

Johnson died in the sinking. His body was found by Mackey Bennett (#37) and taken to Halifax.

NO. 37. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 30. - HAIR, BROWN.

CLOTHING - Striped trousers; blue coat and vest; striped shirt; black boots.

EFFECTS - Gold watch and chain; gold tie pin, diamond set; purse; diamond solitaire ring; cheque for $1200; two $20 pieces; $1.50 silver; $165.00 in notes; 6 pence; half penny and odd coins.

THIRD CLASS.

NAME - MALCOLM JOHNSON.

His brother Wilhelm Nilsson wrote several times about the socks to the state department who contacted the embassy in New York. According to the lists the body had boots but no socks and was otherwise correctly dressed, which made the embassy to expect foul play. All authorities denied any knowledge of anything foul and the mystery of the missing socks was never solved. The other belongings were sent back to Sweden as was later a $1200 cheque and rest of his cash ($206.52 minus expenses).

Signet RIng
Malkolm Johnson's signet ring recovered from his body and returned to his family.
(Photo: Henry Aldridge & Son)

Malcolm Johnson was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Gravestone
Malkolm Johnson's grave at Fairview Cemetery
(Photo: Bob Knuckle, Canada).

The Mansion House Fund paid 875.42 Kr (£48) to the parents and 456 Kr (£25) to brother. A 1908 Kr (£75) damage claim was paid 22 December 1914.

References and Sources

Henry Aldridge & Son, Auction of Titanic, White Star, Ocean Liner and Travel Memorabilia, 14 November 2020

Bibliography

Claes-Göran Wetterholm (1988) Titanic, Prisma, Stockholm. ISBN 91 518 3644 0
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Titanic Passenger Summary

Name: Mr Malkolm Joackim Johnson
Age: 33 years and 26 days (Male)
Nationality: Swedish American
Occupation: General Labourer
Embarked: Southampton on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 347062, £7 15s 6d
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body recovered by: Mackay-Bennett (No. 37)
Buried: Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on Friday 10th May 1912

Linked Biography

Oskar Arvid Hedman

Shared Cabin

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