In the early 1900s, a Swedish sailor named Carl Emil Pettersson found himself shipwrecked on a remote Pacific island, setting the stage for one of the most extraordinary adventures in history. 

In 1904, Pettersson’s ship sank near Tabar Island, part of what is now Papua New Guinea. The island was inhabited by cannibals at the time. When Pettersson’s shipwreck washed him ashore, he wasn’t just facing survival against the elements—he was also in danger of becoming a meal for the locals!

A Royal Love Story

Pettersson didn’t just survive—he thrived on Tabar Island. The island’s ruler, a local chief, welcomed him into the community. But here’s where things get even more storybook-like: Carl fell in love with the chief’s daughter, Princess Singdo, and the two eventually married.

In time, Pettersson became the chief of the island himself, living the life of a king in the South Pacific. He ruled over the island, raised a family, and became deeply connected to the culture and people of his new home.

A Life of Adventure

Pettersson’s life was full of ups and downs. After years of ruling the island, he returned to Sweden for a brief time, only to head back to the South Pacific to continue his adventures. His life became the stuff of legends—a Swedish sailor who became a chief in a tropical paradise, complete with love, shipwrecks, and island adventures.

Petterson is often cited as an inspiration for Pippi Longstocking's father, Captain Efraim Longstocking. However, he was not directly related to Pippi Longstocking, as Pippi is a fictional character created by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Pettersson's real-life adventures and status as a king of Tabar Island might have influenced Lindgren's portrayal of Pippi's father as a sea captain who becomes a king of a distant island.