Sven Hansen
Encyclopedia
Sir Sven Wohlford Hansen, 1st Baronet MBE
(1 April 1876 – 9 October 1958) was a Welsh
shipowner and shipbuilder.
Hansen was born in South Wales
, the son of Carl Frederick Hansen, a shipowner of Scandinavia
n extraction. He initially joined his father's business, but later branched out on his own. His Cardiff Hall Steamship Line became one of the largest operating out of the Bristol Channel
ports and was especially successful during the First World War.
He also revived the shipbuilding industry in the Devon
town of Bideford
after a lapse of fifty years, establishing the Hansen Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Co Ltd.
Hansen was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
(MBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours for his services to shipping and created a Baronet
in the 1921 New Year Honours for his services to Bideford. For many years he was commemorated annually in the town.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1 April 1876 – 9 October 1958) was a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
shipowner and shipbuilder.
Hansen was born in South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
, the son of Carl Frederick Hansen, a shipowner of Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n extraction. He initially joined his father's business, but later branched out on his own. His Cardiff Hall Steamship Line became one of the largest operating out of the Bristol Channel
Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean...
ports and was especially successful during the First World War.
He also revived the shipbuilding industry in the Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
town of Bideford
Bideford
Bideford is a small port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, south-west England. It is also the main town of the Torridge local government district.-History:...
after a lapse of fifty years, establishing the Hansen Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Co Ltd.
Hansen was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(MBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours for his services to shipping and created a Baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
in the 1921 New Year Honours for his services to Bideford. For many years he was commemorated annually in the town.