Dalarne Gallery

When the wood snow Safeguard, owned by Joseph Hill of Hartlepool, was wrecked on Seaton Sands in March 1879 she was broken up by C.A. Forslind.

C.A. Forslind was in partnership with John Rex. The company, in which Charles was a sleeping partner, was known as Forslind & Rex Timber Merchants of Bernard Street, Leith. The partnership was dissolved on 1^st November 1900.

C.A. Forslind & Son was established about 1902 and was dissolved on 31^st October 1916 and re-registered in February 1917. It was finally wound up in November 1931.

Although some of their ships were Hartlepool built they were registered in Sweden and Norway.

Family History:

Charles (Carl) Albert Forslind was born in 1849 in Arboga, Sweden. He travelled from Sweden to France in November 1867 and from there to England. Charles married Harriett Humphreys in 1872 at Hartlepool. In 1881 the couple were living at 20 Archer Street, Stranton. Harriett died aged 40 in January 1890 leaving Charles living at Thomas Street, Stranton with their two sons, Thomas and William. Charles then married Jane Maria Baker on 12^th October 1891 at Hartlepool. By 1901 the family were living at Wooler Road, Hartlepool. They had two daughters and a son.

Charles died aged 83 on 11th February 1932 leaving effects of £6073.

Obituary in Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail – Friday 12 February 1932.

A prominent figure in the commercial life of West Hartlepool has been removed by the death of Mr. Carl Albert Forslind. Mr. Forslind, who possessed a marvellously strong constitution, had reached the age of 83 years, and retained his robust health until about the middle of last year, when he had a severe illness, from which he never really recovered, though he attended to his business affairs until about three months ago. He passed away at about 10 o'clock last night at his residence, Greystone. Born at the old historic town of Arboga, Sweden, in 1849, Mr. Forslind was the son of the late Mr. John Erick Forslind, of Findla Arboga, Sweden. He was educated at Arboga, and 67 years ago came to West Hartlepool, where he, from a very humble beginning, built up the firm of Messrs C. A. Forslind and Son, timber merchants and steamship owners. He received his naturalization papers and took the oath of allegiance to her late Majesty Queen Victoria before the first Sir William Gray (then Mr. William Gray). At the age of 20 he joined the British navy, and served for six years. After his discharge he continued at sea in the merchant service for four years and then started his business career at West Hartlepool, which lasted 60 years. Mr. Forslind’s only hobby was shooting, a sport of which he was exceedingly fond. Mr Forslind was twice married. He leaves a widow, three sons, and two daughters- Mr. T. A. Forslind, Mr W. H. Forslind, Mr. C. V. Forslind, Mrs. Johnson Sinclair (Taplow), and Mrs. Deacon (London).

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Thomas Albert Forslind was born at Hartlepool in 1873 to parents Charles Albert and Harriett (nee Humphreys) Forslind. By 1891 he was a clerk in his father’s company. Thomas married May Owen at Hartlepool in 1897. By 1901 the couple were living in Grange Road and Thomas was listed as a timber merchant and employer. In 1911 the couple were living at 89 Clifton Avenue with their two daughters.

Thomas died aged 95 at Hartlepool in March 1969.

This section will, in time, contain the stories of more than 450 merchant ships built or owned in the Hartlepools, and which were lost during the First World War. As an illustration of the truly global nature of shipbuilding, these ships were owned by companies from 22 different countries, including more than 30 sailing under the German flag at the outbreak of war.