Ludwig von Henk

Ludwig von Henk (March 4, 1820, Anklam – October 17, 1894) was a German naval officer, who distinguished himself in the Prussian Navy and later in the Imperial German Navy of the German Empire. He retired as a Vice-Admiral.

Henk was born in Anklam, Province of Pomerania. He began his career in merchant ships, making journeys to Brazil, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. In 1844, he was promoted to Captain. After the establishment of the Prussian Navy in 1849, he entered as an auxiliary officer, becoming a Kapitänleutnant in 1855 and a Korvettenkapitän in 1859.

In 1861 he went to Berlin as the head of the Hydrographic Bureau in the Prussian War Ministry. In 1865, he became captain of the steam corvette Nymphe, which was sent to the Mediterranean.

During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Henk was commander of the Prussian North Sea Fleet, and in 1867 was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain [Kapitän zur See]. In the Franco-Prussian War, he commanded the armored frigate König Wilhelm and after war's end became commander of the North Sea naval station.

In 1872, he was promoted to flag rank as a Rear Admiral, and was ordered to Berlin as Director of the Admiralty, where he remained until July 1879. During this time he was promoted further (1877) to Vice Admiral, and the following year was raised to the hereditary peerage. He retired in 1879 and was given a pension.

Between 1890 and 1893, Henk served in the Reichstag as a member of the German Conservative Party, representing the electoral district of Ueckermünde-Wollin. He died in Berlin.