Swedish sea captain, novelist, and song collector. Sternvall began sailing in 1900 aboard the 3-mast rigger Abraham Rydberg and became a sea captain in 1909. From 1909 to 1928 he worked in China as a river inspector and pilot captain. Returning to Sweden, he was dismayed by the popularity of romanticized “sailor songs” that bore little resemblance to actual maritime work music. In response, he compiled Sång Under Segel, published in 1935, drawing on his shipboard experiences. The 382-page volume preserves 193 authentic Swedish sailor songs, shanties, and capstan chants. Sternvall also wrote three novels. Stan Hugill later drew on his song collection for Shanties From the Seven Seas.