Ditmar Koel, also "Dithmar Koel", "Ditmar Kohl" or "Dietmar Koehl" (born around 1500, died 22 September 1563 in Hamburg), was a Captain, successful pirate hunter and Mayor of Hamburg.
Biography.
In 1525 Koel was commander of one of four ships of the fleet of Admiral Simon Parseval. 7 October he came into sea battle with the fleet of the pirate Claus Kniphoff. After 8 hours he managed to take the ship "Gallion".
He brought the pirates and the loot to Hamburg, and was 1527 elected to "Ratsherr" (councilman).
Koel promoted the Reformation and initiated the reformation of the Hansatown.
In 1536, as Admiral for a defence fleet, he stopped a raid from Count Palatine Friedrich von Hadeln.
From 1542 until 1548 Koel was Amtmann of Bergedorf., 
In 1548 Koel was elected mayor of Hamburg.
In 1559 he was in command of the defence of Hamburg-Moorburg against an attack from duke Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Harburg.
In 1562 he traveled with two colleagues in a diplomatic journey to Copenhagen, in order to settle a conflict with the Danish king.
Successfully, he returned to Hamburg, where he died on 22 September 1563.
Namesakes of Ditmar Koel.
Streets
Ships