Launched in 1901 under the name of Grossherzogin Elisabeth, this three-mast square is a training ship built to train officers and sailors of the German merchant navy.
For 30 years, it criss-crossed the Baltic Sea or crossed the coasts of Africa and South America with 130 to 200 cadets on board, supervised by a crew of 15 to 20 officers, NCOs, masters and sailors.
It was bought back in 1981 for a symbolic franc by the city of Dunkirk. In March 1982, to undertake its restoration, the association The Friends of the Duchess Anne is constituted under the presidency of Benoît Venturini, On August 22, 1998, restored in the respect of traditions, it joins its final destination, opposite the Port Museum of Dunkerque. The work is not yet finished, and it will be necessary to reach the centenary of the ship, in 2001, after 19 years of work for the Duchess Anne to finally open to the public.
Duration of the visit: 30 minutes