Herzogin Cecilie

Herzogin Cecilie was a German-built four-masted barque (ship), named after Duchess Cecilie, the wife of the last Crown Prince of the German Empire, Wilhelm. The ship was constructed in 1902 by Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, and was one of the fastest of her kind in the age of sail.

History

Herzogin Cecilie was initially used in the South American nitrate trade. During her 20-year working life, she made 16 long-distance trips. In 1921, she was bought by Finnish shipowner Gustaf Erikson, who used her for the Australian wheat trade.

The ship's most famous voyage was her 1929 passage from Port Lincoln in Australia to Falmouth, England. She covered the distance in 86 days, a record that still stands for a commercial sailing vessel.

Final Voyage and Wreck

Herzogin Cecilie's final voyage began in 1936 when she left Port Lincoln for Falmouth, loaded with 4,000 tons of wheat. On April 25, she ran aground on Ham Stone Rock, off the coast of Devon, England. Despite efforts to save her, the ship was declared a total loss. The wreck is still visible at low tide.

Legacy

Herzogin Cecilie is remembered as one of the last great sailing ships. Her story is told in the book The Last Grain Race, written by Eric Newby, who served as an apprentice on her final voyage.

See also

• List of large sailing vessels
• History of sailing ships