Hornblower star visits Scarborough (From Gazette & Herald)

Hornblower star visits Scarborough

THE Grand Turk, the 22-cannon fighting frigate which starred in the Hornblower television series, arrived in Scarborough for a two-week stay, providing a major attraction for holidaymakers.

The three-masted square-rigged ship is open to the public throughout her stay in the harbour.

The captain, Ian Macdougal, said: "It is our first visit to Scarborough and it is proving a great success."

The ship was launched in Marmaris, Turkey, in 1997 and is the first wooden British frigate to be built in more than 150 years. Based on the 1750s HMS Blandford, she has a total sail area of 8,600sq ft and a crew of 28.

HMS Blandford was part of Nelson's navy and, at that time, said Captain Macdougal, she would have a crew of 125.

"We try to convey to our visitors a feeling of being aboard a fighting square-rigger in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Our filming experiences enable the crew to make a tour of the ship that much more colourful."

Updated: 11:27 Wednesday, July 16, 2003