A super exhibition is being held National Maritime Museum Something about pirates in Falmouth. We went last week and found it very interesting, we couldn’t believe there were two female pirates, one of whom roamed the Cornish coast.
Piracy and smuggling have been part of the Helford River for centuries. The creeks and tidal rivers here made it easy for the French to use the tides to move barrels of wine up the river, and there were small coves for smugglers to pick up.
Smugglers’ Bay, Helford River
There are stories of pirates hiding out in the village of Helford – you never know who you might be sitting next to in the pirate village. Shipwright’s weapons!
Helford’s most famous private was Jean-Benoit Aubéry, who was featured in novelist Daphne du Maurier’s novel “The Frenchman’s Creek” French pirate in the making. like Anne BonnyShe married and moved to the Caribbean, only to fall in love with a pirate and become a female pirate like Du Maurier’s heroine Lady Donna.
Daphne du Maurier also honeymooned at Frenchman’s Creek and met Percy “Pink” Thurborne, who fled a life in London’s high society just as her heroine Lady Donna did It’s like going to Helford and living a quiet life. Until she met a French pirate and joined him in raiding Lord Dugan’s house on the river at night and drinking tea with him during the day. The character of Lord Duggan may have been inspired by the Fox family who owned Glen Duggan.
Wreck of the Iron Duke in Frenchman Creek
Percy’s ship, the Iron Duke, ran aground on Frenchman’s Creek, and perhaps after a few glasses of rum, he decided to end his trip.
Join one of our Cluj Kayaking Helford Adventure or Koru Paddleboard Adventure or Helford River Cruise from Budokwien Hotel And enjoy the stories of pirates from the past. We won’t let you walk the plank, but you might enjoy anchoring and enjoying a wild swim!
Oh, don’t forget we’ll have some beautiful tall ship Coming to Helford from 15th to 18th August!
