He was born in 1855 in Denmark, where he was educated, and he served an apprenticeship of five years on a vessel from the north of England.

In 1876, he joined the Shire Line, as second officer; in 1881, he obtained his master's certificate, and has been captain of Shire Line boats since 1883.

Captain Olsen married a daughter of Mr. T. Suttie, of North Shields, in the year 1883, and has two daughters and one son.