Carl Alarik Wachtmeister

Vice Admiral Count Carl Alarik Hansson Wachtmeister (28 March 1865 – 26 November 1925) was a senior Swedish Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Coastal Fleet (1919–1923) as well as of Stockholm Naval Station (1923–1925). Wachtmeister was born into a noble family. He joined the Royal Swedish Naval Academy in 1878 and graduated in 1884 as an underlöjtnant. Early in his naval career, he gained extensive experience through training and command of ships, including the brigs Skirner and Snapphopp. He was promoted steadily, taking on significant responsibilities such as commanding vessels, leading cadet units, and working on modernization proposals for coastal defence ships. By the early 1900s, he held several key staff and leadership roles, including command of the cruiser and the Royal Swedish Naval Academy. Wachtmeister was instrumental in reforming military law and contributed to naval training programs. During World War I, he served as Flag Captain and later became Inspector of the Submarine Service. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1919 and led the Coastal Fleet until 1923. Alongside his military duties, he advised on international naval treaties and was involved in civil service roles, including the Supreme Court. He was promoted to vice admiral shortly before his death in 1925.

Early life Wachtmeister was born into the Wachtmeister family on 28 March 1865 at his family estate, Johannishus Castle, in Hjortsberga, Blekinge County, Sweden. His parents were the county governor, Count of Johannishus, and Baroness Ebba De Geer of Finspång. Wachtmeister was admitted to the Royal Swedish Naval Academy on 30 September 1878. Aboard the corvette , he completed his initial training as a cadet over six summers. After completing the academy’s six land-based and naval classes, he graduated on 20 October 1884 and was appointed an underlöjtnant in the Swedish Navy on 24 October 1884.

He was promoted to lieutenant commander on 26 October 1906 and served on the governing board of the Swedish Red Cross from 1906 to 1916.

Death and funeral

Death Wachtmeister died on 26 November 1925 in the of Stockholm.

Funeral The funeral service was held on 1 December 1925 at Skeppsholmen Church. The procession had made its way from the admiral’s residence on Skeppsholmen. The Royal Swedish Navy Band of Stockholm (Flottans musikkår), conducted by Music Director , performed Chopin's funeral march. On Wachtmeister’s flag-draped casket lay his sword. King Gustaf V was represented by Captain (N) , and Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Skåne, was represented by Captain von Bahr. Also in attendance were Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland, and Prince Bernadotte.

Among the many dignitaries present were Minister of Defence Per Albin Hansson; U.S. Minister Robert Woods Bliss and his military attaché; the French Minister and military attaché; the Dutch Minister; and the British military attaché. Other notable attendees included Count Hugo E. G. Hamilton; Admiral Wilhelm Dyrssen; Vice Admirals , Count Carl August Ehrensvärd, , Henning von Krusenstierna, and ; Rear Admirals Jacob Hägg, , Arvid Lindman, , Fredrik Riben, John Schneidler, and ; Lieutenant General Herman Wrangel; Major Generals Baron , Ludvig Hammarskiöld, and Baron ; Justices of the Supreme Court of Sweden — , , , , , , and Birger Ekeberg; District Judge Marcus Wallenberg Sr; Director-General Bergqvist; Captains (N) Eneström, , , Charles de Champs, Harald Åkermark, , Baron ; Director-General of Naval Construction (marinöverdirektör) ; Paymaster General (marinöverintendenten) ; and Surgeon-in-Chief of the Swedish Navy, Gunnar Nilson.

Dates of rank 24 October 1884 – Underlöjtnant 25 January 1889 – Sub-lieutenant 1 April 1896 – Lieutenant 26 October 1906 – Lieutenant commander 17 February 1911 – Commander 30 June 1916 – Captain 20 September 1919 – Rear admiral 23 October 1925 – Vice admiral

Awards and decorations

Swedish

Honorary member of the Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences (1919)

Footnotes