LOW, FRANCIS [SSNE 1953]

Surname

LOW, LAUW, LAU

First name

FRANCIS, FRANS

Text source

Francis Low's father was an Englishman who migrated to Sweden and Francis himself was born in Sweden on 19 October 1637. He served in a foreign navy (Stuart?) before becoming a captain with the Swedish navy in July 1675. He commanded on Hans Wachtmeister's admiral ship 'Nyckeln' in the third squadron of Henrik Horn's fleet in June 1677. He led small fleets in Pomerania from October 1677- may 1679 and became a naval major in 1679. During a battle with the Danes he was taken prisoner when 'Nyckeln' was seized but Low was soon released. He was ennobled and introduced in January 1680 and served as a 'schoutbynacht' as well as master of 'ekipage' at Skeppsholmen (Stockholm shipyard) in 1680. He died in 1686. He had a son who also served in Sweden.

Sources: Svenska Adelns Ättartavlor, vol. 4, p.514; A. Zettersten, Svenska Flottans Historia Åren 1635-1680 (Norrtelje, 1903), p.614; H. Marryat, One Year in Sweden, including a visit to the isle of Gotland (London, 1862), p.491.

Service record

SWEDEN, NAVY

Departed 1686-12-31, as NAVAL MAJOR

Capacity OFFICER, purpose NAVAL