HOLMQVIST CARL ARTHER (CHARLIE)

 

Holmqvist Carl Arther, Albatross, was born in Jomala, Åland, on 24.10.1897 and lived at Espholm.

He lost his life in an aircraft crash near Mariehamn on 8.11.1963.

He began his seafaring career in the autumn of 1913, when he sailed with his maternal grandfather in the ' jakt ' ANNA.

In February 1914 he signed on the 3-masted barque PROMPT as deck Hand, with Captain Lahja Simola as Master.

The PROMPT sailed to Brazil -Australia -Peru -Portland Oregon -Queenstown (via Cap Horn). She arrived in Cardiff in winter of 1916. Her next voyage was to America- Cape Town - Australia - South Africa, where Charlie Holmqvist left her after spending 41 months 13 days on board.

He joined the Norwegian schooner WILLIAM NOTTINGHAM in Durban and made a voyage to North America.

After an illness in South Africa, he became Chief Mate of the American CARIOCA in 1919.

Charlie Holmqvist joined the fore-and-aft schooner RUNEBERG as 2nd Mate in 1920, sailing in North Sea trade with Julius Holmström as Master. In 1921-22 he was 2nd Mate of the LAWHILL, making a voyage to Australia, Chile and round Cape Horn to Europe. On a voyage to Australia in 1924 under Captain Julle Gustafsson,he was Chief Mate and became Acting Master when Captain Gustafsson fell ill and died on the way to Cape Horn.

Charlie Holmqvist obtained his Master Mariner's certificate in Mariehamn in 1926.

He sailed as Master of the 3- masted barque LOCH LINNHE on a voyage from Piteä to London, and in 1927 he became Chief Mate of the 4-masted schooner GUNN under the command of Captain Johan Andersson. That was Carlie Holmqvist's last period under sail. He then sailed in the Gustaf Erikson company as Mate, as well as in the Naxos Prince, Allan & Elder and Neptun Company ships.

He was Master of Gustaf Erikson and Neptun Company ships, and was Master of the salvage steamer HERCULES until his retirement.

He received the Danish State Diploma with gold watch, and the badge of merit of the Finnish Sea Rescue Society.

Charlie Holmqvist rounded Cape Horn 4 times under sail.

Charlie Holmqvist was interviewed on radio and television about his experience in sailing-ships, and he wrote a book, Under Saigel (Under sail ), which was in manuscript form at the time of his death, and which was published in 1966.

He was one of the founder members of the AÅlandIslands Section of A.I.C.H. and was vice-president of that Section.

He was awarded the Cape Horner's medal posthumously in 1963.