The Herzogin Cecillie was the last of the truly great clipper ships and when she was breaking up in Starehole Bay thousands came to mourn her passing.
The 'Duchess' being built at Bremerhaven
We have a number of stories about this wreck. One is about the wrecking of the 'Duchess' as she was known. One is the eyewitness account of a survivor, and one is about the man who was at the helm when the great ship struck the Hamstone.
Other stories are about the Museum in Alland and meeting Freyja, the daughter of Captain Ericsson. Closer to home you can visit the Chart house of the 'Duchess' which now serves as a snug at the Cottage Hotel at Hope Cove in Devon.
The Wreck of the Herzogin Cecillie
Diana Woolner, a survivor's tale
Per Hjelt, the helmsman's tale
