Lars (Gathe) Gathenhielm (1689 - 1718)

Born 30 Nov 1689 in Gathan, Onsala, Halland, Sverige

Husband of Ingela (Hammar) Gathenhielm — married 2 Apr 1711 in Onsala, Halland, Sverige

Died 25 Apr 1718 at age 28 in Domkyrkoförsamlingen, Göteborg, Sverige

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Biography

Lars (Gathe) Gathenhielm is Notable.

Lars Gathenhielm, also known as "Lasse i Gatan", was a Swedish privateer during the Great Northern War, with a letter of marque from king Karl XII. As the war proceeded, the conditions in a Swedish letter of marque became increasingly favourable for the privateers. Even so Lasse i Gatan crossed the line to outright piracy at least once (although the case against him was, in the end, quietly forgotten).^[1]

Lars Gathe was born in Onsala parish in 1689 to Anders Börgesson in Gathan and his wife Kerstin Larsdotter from Hjelm. Both parents were from well-off ship owner/ship builder/merchant families in Northern Halland.

Like his two brothers Lasse went to sea at a young age, and was soon competent to captain his own ship. Like his parents he owned parts in many ships. The death of Lasse's father in 1710 coincided with a turn in the war that made Swedish privateer activity in the waters off the west coast a desirable part of Swedish warfare. Lasse i Gatan participated by having several dedicated ships built and equipped. He captained Vinthunden (the Sighthound) himself.

However, he suffered since childhood from crippling symptoms of something like bone tuberculosis, affecting his left leg and right shoulder, forcing him to use crutches from about 1713. From this time, instead of actively captaining one of his ships, he invested, equipped and managed a growing fleet of privateers.^[1]

Lars Gathe married I ship owner's daughter Ingela Hammar in Onsala church 2 April 1711. In 1715 Lars and his brother Christian were ennobled under the name Gathenhielm.^[2]

Lars Gathenhielm died in Göteborg 25 April 1718. He was buried in Onsala.^[3]

The myths about Lasse i Gatan include ghost stories about Gathenhielm arising from his grave and battling his arch enemy Peter Tordenskjold at sea.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Ericson Wolke, Lars (1997). Lasse i Gatan: kaparkriget och det svenska stormaktsväldets fall. Lund: Historiska media
2. ↑ Lars Gathenhielm, Svenskt biografiskt lexikon, (art av Erik Grill), hämtad 2021-08-17.
3. ↑ Göteborgs Domkyrkoförsamling (O) LIa:31 (1718) Bild 80

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• Lars Gatenhielm in Wikipedia
• Lars Gatenhielm in Swedish Wikipedia
• Gathenhielm at Adelsvapen.com