CLERCK, JOHAN [SSNE 4163]

Surname

CLERCK

First name

JOHAN, HANS RICKART, JOHN RICHARD

Title/rank

LIEUTENANT ADMIRAL

Nationality

SCOTO-SWEDE

Social status

GENTRY

Text source

Johan or Hans Richard Clerck was baptised in 1642. He was the son of Holm admiral Richard Clerk the younger [SSNE 4138]. Johan was a sub lieutenant in the navy by 2/5/1668 and gained promotion to captain on 16/11/1668. He became chief of a Swedish naval convoy between Gothenburg and Marstrand from November 1672 until June 1673. It was not long before he was "kommendor" 7/11/1674 after which he became a major (or vice-admiral) on 21/7/1675. Clerck was accused of poor manoeuvres during the battle at Bornholm but was eventually cleared. He became holm admiral 3/1/1677 and lieutenant admiral 20/7/1677. He was reduced 31/12/1679. He was "schoutbynacht" (Night watchman?) 9/3/1683 and died on 11/4/1688

A. Zettersten, Svenska Flottans historia aren 1635-1680, (Norrtelje, 1903), p.598; Biografiska Anteckningar om Officerare vid Orlogsflottan 1600-1699, p.108.

Service record

SWEDEN, NAVY

Arrived 1668-05-02, as SUB LIEUT

Departed 1688-04-11, as LIEUT ADMIRAL

Capacity ADMIRAL, purpose NAVAL