Anna Maria Engsten: Difference between revisions

'''Anna Maria Jansdotter Engsten''' (17621764 – [[floruit|fl]]. 17901804) was by King [[Gustav III of Sweden]] awarded with a medal in silver for ''[[För tapperhet i fält|Valour in Battle at Sea]]'' by King [[Gustav III of Sweden]] for her acts during the Russo-Swedish war of 1788–1790.

Engsten was a maid to the master mariner of the Swedish fleet, G.A. Leijonancker. During the retreat from Viborg and Björkösund, she was evacuated with five sailors in a boat filled with food supplies and the captain's belongings. They were shot at by the Russian fleet, which killed a sheep and caused a leak. The sailors abandoned the boat, but she stayed behind, determined to steer the boat to safety. She did so singlehandedly, although the boat required at least two people to steer, a mission she succeeded with. This was confirmed by Major Scharff. When the King was told about this, he awarded her a medal in silver for ''Bravery in Battle at Sea'' as well as a sum of 50 riksdaler.<ref>Cristopher von Warnstedt, Medaljerna för Tapperhet until Sjöss (1974) Forum navale. 29. (The medals of Valour at Sea) (Swedish)</ref> This was paid out on 15 March 1791.

* Cristopher von Warnstedt, Medaljerna för Tapperhet tilluntil Sjöss (1974) Forum navale. 29. (The medals of Valour at Sea) (Swedish)

[[Category:17621764 births]]

[[Category:Year1804 of death unknowndeaths]]

[[Category:People of the Russo-Swedish War (1788–901788–1790)]]