Claes Uggla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Claes Johansson Uggla |
| Born | 1614 Afverstad,Värmland, Sweden |
| Died | 1 June 1676(1676-06-01) (aged 61–62) off the east coast ofÖland, Sweden |
| Allegiance | Sweden |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1643-1676 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles / wars | |
Claes[note 1] Johansson Uggla (1614 – 1 June 1676) was aSwedish military officer of the 17th century, who served in both the army and the navy, reaching the rank ofadmiral before he was killed in action during the navalBattle of Öland.
Uggla was born in the village of Afverstad in Ölserud parish,Värmland, the son of Colonel Johan Uggla and Margareta Gyllenmärs.[1] As a young man he was apage at theroyal court. During theTorstenson War of 1643-1645 he served as a volunteer in the navy, seeing action in the fleet under the command ofClas Fleming. From 1646 Uggla served in the Swedish army. He distinguished himself at theBattle of Prague in 1648, and was promoted tocaptain lieutenant. In 1650, he was promoted to captain in theLife Guards, accompanyingCharles X during theSecond Northern War. When theDano-Swedish War broke out in 1657 Uggla returned to naval service. He was promoted to major and in November 1658 participated in theBattle of the Sound against the Dutch fleet. In December, he successfullyevacuated the Swedes from Sønderborg Castle during its siege.[2] In 1660, he was promoted tolieutenant admiral. During a three-year stay inLübeck, he oversaw the construction of warships being built for the Swedish Navy. In 1670 he was promoted to admiral, and in 1676 was elevated to the status ofFriherre. When further conflict broke out in 1675 in theScanian War, Uggla was given command of a squadron underGeneralamiralLorentz Creutz.[3]
On 1 June 1676, during theBattle of Öland, against the allied Danish and Dutch fleets underNiels Juel andCornelis Tromp, Creutz's flagshipKronan capsized, as a result of intemperately turning hard south, even though under full sail with open cannon ports. The Swedish fleet'sline of battle was thrown into confusion, and the enemy, taking advantage of the situation, surrounded Uggla's 94-gun flagshipSvärdet. He found himself attacked by four enemy vessels simultaneously, including both the Danish and Dutch flagships. After a fierce battle lasting two hours Uggla's ship was dismasted and holed below the waterline. Uggla finally surrendered to Tromp, but a Dutchfire ship failed to recognize that the ship had surrendered and attacked, and Uggla was killed when his ship blew up. Only 51 of the 670 crew survived.[4]
