Lars Kruse

Lars Kruse was born in Skagen, Denmark, on 5 June 1828. He was the son of Johan Hinrich Jes Kruse, a Danish school founder, and his wife Anna Magdalene Christine Becker. He started fishing at an early age and participated in many rescue attempts off the dangerous shores of Skagen. One of his most famous rescues was on 27 December 1862, when he saved the crew of the Swedish brig Daphne, after the lifeboat had capsized and killed eight of its crew. He was appointed as the head of lifesaving in Skagen and received several medals and honors from Denmark and other countries for his bravery and service. He also inspired the painter Michael Ancher, who portrayed him in several works. He married twice and had three children. He drowned on 9 March 1894, while trying to land his boat in a snowstorm. He was buried at Skagen Cemetery with a memorial stone bearing the words of Holger Drachmann: Here lies under the sand of the dune A brave sailor's bones But Skagen's reef and shoals Recognize their duty And sing of Lars Kruse's life A loud heroic poem.