KARLSSON ERIK, HERBERT

 

 

Karlsson, Erik, Herbert, Mollyhawk, was born in Värdö, Åland, on 21 November 1913.

He made his first voyage in the schooner VALBORG in 1930 and subsequently sailed in the schooner KLAVA.

In 1932 he rounded Cape Horn for the first time as Deck Hand in the four-masted barque MELBOURNE.

On her return to Europe the MELBOURNE collided with the British m t SEMINOLE SSW of Queenstown on 30 June 1932.

She went down with the loss of 11 men.

Herbert Karlsson subsequently rounded Cape Horn four more times :

- in 1934 as Able Seaman in the 4 m barque POMMERN,

- in 1936 as 2nd Mate in the 4 m barque PAMIR,

- in 1937 and

- in 1938 as 1st Mate of the PAMIR.

H e obtained his Master's Certificate at the Åland Maritime College in Mariehamn in 1939.

Herbert Karlsson was subsequently Master of the m v ALCA.

He was awarded the Cape Horners' medal in 1982.