Caspar Henrik Wolfsen facts for kids
Caspar Henrik Wolfsen (born December 16, 1781 – died November 29, 1836) was a brave Danish sailor. He became famous as a privateer during a war. Later, he worked as a customs inspector on the island of Bornholm.
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Early Life and Sailing Adventures
Caspar Wolfsen was born in Rønne, a town in Denmark. His father was a captain, so Caspar learned about ships and the sea from a young age. He became a sailor very early in his life. By the time he was 24, he had passed his exams to become a skipper. A skipper is the captain of a ship. He then started sailing to the Danish West Indies, which were islands far away. He was also involved in some unofficial trading activities.
Becoming a Privateer
In 1807, something big happened: the British attacked Copenhagen. This event, known as the British attack on Copenhagen, left Denmark without many warships. Denmark was now at war with Britain. To help fight, the Danish government allowed private ships to become "privateers." Privateers were like private warships. They were allowed to capture enemy ships and their goods.
Caspar Wolfsen became a privateer. He was given command of a ship called Mandal. Later, he commanded another ship named Danneskjold. He was very good at this job. He managed to capture many British ships. By 1809, he had captured at least 22 enemy ships! For his great success, he received a special award called the Order of the Dannebrog.
Life After the War
After the war ended, Caspar Wolfsen settled down on the island of Bornholm. In 1821, he started a new job as a customs officer in Tønne. Customs officers check goods coming into a country. They make sure people follow the rules. In 1829, he was promoted to customs inspector for the whole island. In this role, he was very successful at stopping unofficial trading.
Family and Community Life
Caspar Wolfsen was married twice. His first wife was Maria Elisabeth Undall, whom he married in 1804. After she passed away, he married Johanne Sabine Behrendt in 1811. He was known as a respected person on Bornholm. People even called him "Knight Wolfsen" (Ridder Wolfsen).
He was also very active in his community. In 1834, he helped start the Rønne Theatre. He even acted in some of the plays himself! Caspar Wolfsen passed away on November 29, 1836. He is remembered as a brave sailor and a dedicated public servant.
See also
External links
- Caspar Henrik Wolffsen at geni.com
