Carlos Frödden

Who was Carlos Frödden?

Carlos Frödden Lorenzen was a Chilean Navy officer and politician.

He was born in Coronel, the son of Federico Frodden and Carolina Lorenzen. He studied at the Liceo in Lebu and at the Naval Academy where he graduated in 1906 earning the silver medal, second highest award. In 1906 he was commissioned Midshipman Second Class and made a trip around the world. Between 1909 and 1911 he was in the Patagonian Channels, doing survey work. He married Margarita Taborga.

He specialized in navigation and was later in charge of charting the northern coast of Chile from Caldera to Cabeza de Vaca Cape. By 1913, however, he was on board the Cochrane where he completed the artillery course. In 1916 he became an artillery instructor; in 1917 artillery inspector in the squadron. In 1921 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and CO of the Munitions Depot at Las Salinas near Valparaiso. In 1922 Artillery Officer on the battleship Latorre. In 1925 promoted to Commander, CO of the Silva Palma Marine Barracks.

In 1927, due to his friendship with General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo and his masonic connections, he was named Minister of Marine, causing the displeasure of many of his superiors.