WIGELL HERMAN

 

Wigell Herman, Leonard, Mollyhawk, was born in Mariehamn on 5 September 1897 and died there on 27 December 1974.

Herman Wigell went to sea at the age of 17 and served at sea during World War I.

He rounded Cape Horn in 1915 in the fullrigged ship TASMANIA, during her voyage from Australia to England.

Herman Wigell obtained his Master Mariner's certificate at the age of 24, then being the youngest sea -captain in Åland.

Herman Wigell served in the iron barque THEKLA as Chief Mate and became her Master in August 1926. The THEKLA traded from Norrland to England with timber cargoes and between the West Indies and France with logwood.

Herman Wigell also served in the Naxos Company.

In 1935, he joined the Pilotage Service and became lighthouse keeper at Lägskär, Åland, in 1938 the last lighthouse keeper there.

He retired in 1962.

Herman Wigell was awarded the Order of the White Rose of Finland, medal of first class.