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Sivert Cortsen Adeler (alternative spellings include Sigvart and Adelaer; 1647 – 24 January 1683) was a Danish naval officer, captain, and Overhoved of Danish India from 1673 to 1682, co-leading with Henrik Eggers and Eskild Andersen Kongsbakke until 1674.
Adeler was born in 1647 in Hoorn, Dutch Republic, and was the firstborn son of Admiral Cort Adeler and Engelke Sofronia. In 1663, Adeler came to Denmark with his father, where he was appointed captain in 1666. In 1668, Adeler became commanding officer () on the frigate Færøe, which was sent to the East Indies in the same year. Arriving in the Danish colony of Tranquebar in May 1669, Adeler would bring goods and gifts from the Danish king to the Sultan of Bantam.
Adeler returned to Denmark in September 1670 and was promoted to Schout-bij-nacht. The following year, he was sent to Holland for further education in naval warfare. In 1672, Adeler again departed for India, being appointed Governor of Tranquebar. His tenure would end in October 1682, when he abandoned the post in favour of Axel Juel. Adeler died off the Cape of Good Hope on 24 January 1683 on his return voyage to Denmark.
In August 1669, Adeler continued his voyage to Bantam, Java, concluding a treaty with the Sultan of Bantam and offering personal gifts to the Sultan from Christian V. Additionally, a new Danish lodge was established at Bantam as a stipulation of the treaty. Following this, Adeler returned home with the Færø, arriving in Copenhagen in September 1670, where he would receive much acknowledgement for his successful expedition. Subsequently, he would be appointed Schout-bij-nacht in the same year and would be sent to the Netherlands for further naval education.
Following Færø's successful voyage, a new Danish East India Company would be established in the Fall of 1670. According to the charter, the Danish King would personally own Tranquebar, but with exclusive rights for the Company's shareholders and directors to conduct business in the town. Furthermore, it was emphasized that it was the Dano-Norwegian State that had the right to property over the colony, while it was the monarch's responsibility to maintain and protect Fort Dansborg.
During Adeler's governorship, trade between Denmark and India flourished, with cargoes from Denmark almost becoming regular. Furthermore, the number of employers increased substantially to 1700 people, the majority of whom were Indians and Portuguese, with only 150 Scandinavia. However, the flourishing ended in 1680, when three Danish ships got Ship grounding, and the connection between Denmark and India ceased for some years. In 1682, Adeler initiated his return to Denmark to discuss with the company directors in Copenhagen. Adeler journeyed back home on the Flvynde Ulv; however, he died on board off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope on 24 January 1683. He would subsequently be buried in Cape Town with great splendor.
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