Born: 1692 (Onsala, Sweden)
Died: 1729
Ingela Olofsdotter Gathenhielm (née Hammar; 11 September 1692 – 29 April 1729) was a Swedish shipowner and privateer who played a significant role in the Great Northern War. Born in Onsala, Ingela was the daughter of shipowner Olof Hammar and Gunilla Mårtensdotter. She married Lars Gathenhielm in 1711, having known him since childhood when they lived on adjacent farms. Together, they had five children, with only their son Anders surviving into adulthood.
Settling in Gothenburg after their wedding, Lars was granted permission by King Charles XII to engage in privateering activities during the war. Operating from Onsala, they attacked and plundered ships from enemy nations, with Lars also attacking non-enemy ships, engaging in illegal piracy. Selling their spoils in Dunkerque, they amassed a fortune. In recognition of his services, Lars was inducted into the Gothenburg city guild in 1715 and ennobled alongside his brother Christian.
Ingela played a central role in Lars’ privateering ventures, acting as his business companion, advisor, and the mastermind behind many of his affairs. She was also a privateer in her own right, a common practice for married women in 18th-century Sweden who were expected to support their husbands in business endeavors. When Lars died in 1718, Ingela inherited his royal privateering permit and took over the management of his fleet and alleged pirate empire.
This succession, though unconventional in nature, was not unusual for widows at the time, as they legally inherited their late spouse’s businesses. Ingela was known as the Kapardrottningen or the Privateering Queen. However, the Swedish privateering licenses were revoked following the peace treaties between Denmark and Russia in 1720 and 1721, respectively.
Despite the end of her privateering activities, Ingela continued to be involved in various businesses in Gothenburg. She inherited Lars’ ropewalk factory and shipping business, and she expanded her enterprises by establishing a bakery, forge, distillery, and sailmaker factory. With her strong business acumen, she achieved considerable success in these ventures, especially the ropewalk factory, becoming a prominent figure in Gothenburg’s commercial scene.
Throughout her later life, Ingela faced several legal battles against the Crown, seeking monetary compensation for the costs she incurred as a privateer in the service of the crown. These lawsuits, which extended beyond her death and were inherited by her second spouse, reflected her military status as a privateer and her determination to protect her financial interests.
Ingela Gathenhielm’s life and accomplishments have been the subject of numerous stories and legends, showcasing her remarkable achievements as a female shipowner and privateer during a time when women’s involvement in such ventures was relatively rare. Her legacy is a testament to her resilience, business acumen, and determination to thrive in a male-dominated industry.