KARLSSON HARALD

 

Karlsson, Harald, Nandor, Alexej, Mollyhawk, was born in Hull, England, on 28.1.1909.

At that time his mother Safira was on a voyage with his father, Captain Johannes Alexej Karlsson, who was Master of the 3-masted barque SAINT JULIEN, of Vardö, Åland, owned by Robert Mattsson.

Herald Karlsson 's home was at Nyängs in the island of Sottunga, Åland.

Harald Karlsson made his first voyage in the schooner FRID II, Master Gustaf Pettersson, in 1929.

He made two round voyages in the 3-masted barque KILLORAN, rounding Cape Horn as Carpenter in 1931 and 1932.

He had signed on the KILLORAN in Kotka, Finland, from where she carried a cargo of timber to Lourenço Marques for Johannesburg.

She then sailed in ballast to Wallaroo, south Australia, and then with a cargo of grain to the Thames in England.

She sailed in ballast to Port Augusta, South Australia, and carried a cargo of grain to Sunderland in England, where Harald Karlsson signed off.

From 1933, Harajd Karlsson sailed as Mate and Master in the Bore Steamship Company.

He obtained his Master Mariner's certificate at the Navigation Institute in Äbo /Turku in 1937.

From 1961 he was Master of several vessels belonging to the Silja Company.

Harald Karlsson retired in 1969 and now lives in Mariehamn.

He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Finnish Shipowners' Association in 1963.