Adolf Vinnen was a five-masted barquentine that was built by Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft, Kiel, Germany.

[4] The four masted steel auxiliary, Magdalene Vinnen was a 3476 ton barque constructed to a separate design in the same year and in the same yard.

[5] On 9 February 1923,[6] during her maiden voyage from Kiel Germany to Barry, Glamorgan, Wales,[3][7] Adolf Vinnen was driven ashore at Bass Point, Cornwall, United Kingdom in a gale.

The Lizard lifeboat attended the ship,[6] Her crew of 24 was rescued by breeches buoy from the cliffs above the wreck.

Adolf Vinnen was the last large sailing ship wrecked in the Lizard area.