The tragic story of a Swiss farmer who perished on the Titanic

One of the Titanic victims was a Swiss farmer from the town of Uster, near Zurich. An exhibition in Germany now tells his tragic story. "It was really the ordinary fate of a simple farmer who had hoped for a better future," explains Günter Bäbler, president of the Titanic Association Switzerland. He is referring to the tragic story of Albert Wirz from Zurich, a tale filled with hope and heartbreak. Albert Wirz, the second son of a farming family in Uster, grew up with limited prospects for a secure future. In 1912, he therefore decided to leave the Zurich Oberland and join his aunt in America. After saving money through various jobs, he set out for the US state of Wisconsin. From Uster to Wisconsin for CHF400 "He bought a package deal tailored specifically to him," says Bäbler. "From Uster to Beloit, Wisconsin. Everything was included in the ticket: travel, accommodation, meals." Wirz, then under 30, paid around CHF400 ($485) for the entire journey. Travelling by train and ship ...