The Bizarre Story Of Carl Pettersson, The Swedish Cannibal King
One Of The Wildest Stories From History
Few know the bizarre story of Carl Pettersson—a Swedish sailor who became the unlikely king of a cannibal island.
An Unbelievable Destiny
Born in Sweden on October 23, 1875, Carl Pettersson joined a large family of six siblings. His parents were Carl Wilhelm and Johanna Pettersson—but for unknown reasons, Wilhelm eventually left the family. Little did young Pettersson know, he was destined to tread a shockingly unique path through the world.
He Took Up A Dangerous Career
At the age of 17, Pettersson made a decision that sealed his fate: He began a seafaring career. For the next six years, he honed his skills on the water, eventually leading him to the Bismarck Archipelago of German New Guinea. Here, he landed a job at a German trading house.
He Traveled Far From Home
This trading house, Neuguinea-Compagnie, had its headquarters in Kokopo, meaning that Pettersson's new life unfolded far away from his homeland. It would also change his life most terrifyingly.
A Doomed Expedition
In December 1904, Pettersson's work brought him face to face with his own mortality. While traveling on the Herzog Johan Albrecht on a recruiting mission, something went horribly wrong.
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His Ship Sank
On Christmas day, Pettersson's ship tragically sank, but thankfully, he managed to survive the horrifying ordeal. He wound up seeking refuge on the shores of the island of Tabar. But he wasn't safe just yet.
Earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, Wikimedia Commons
