voices from the Titanic: Olaus Jorgensen Abelseth

voices from the Titanic: Olaus Jorgensen Abelseth by ric Gustafson


Olaus Jorgensen Abelseth was born in Orskog Norway in June of 1886. He worked as a sailor and a casual laborer. In 1902 or 1903, He moved to the US and lived in North Dakota. In 1911, he decided to return to visit relatives in Norway. In April of 1912, he booked a ticket on the Titanic. He boarded the giant liner with five others from Norway. He and friends shared a cabin toward the bow of F Deck.
When the liner struck the iceberg, Abelseth and others made their way to the Well Aft Deck. By the time he got to the Boat Deck, all the lifeboats were gone. Olaus jumped into the water as the mighty ship went down. He swam in the icy water for twenty minutes as other people were drowning all around him. Eventually, he was able to get on Collapsible A. He was saved.
In July of 1915, he married Anna Grinde. They had two children. Anna passed away in August of 1978. Olaus Jorgensen Abelseth passed away in December of 1980.


research help: Wikipedia.org


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric