HMS INDEFATIGABLE

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The Grand Turk is a replica of a three-masted sixth-rate frigate, well known for depicting HMS Indefatigable in the TV series Hornblower, although the historical Indefatigable was a much bigger ship. She has also served in the same TV series as the French ship Papillon. She was built primarily as an action vehicle for the international TV and film industry. Nowadays the tall ship is used mainly in sailing events, for corporate or private charter, and for receptions in its spacious saloon or on its deck.

Grand Turk at Portsmouth 2005

On 28 June 2005 she stood in for HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship at the International Fleet Review off Portsmouth (GB), commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

She is 46.3 m long and has a beam of 10.4 m. Her mainmast reaches 35.66 m high and her draught, 3.1 m. She has a permanent crew of sixteen. As well as the sails, she is powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) diesel engines.

This full-rigged ship has 12 working sails. The foremast and the mainmast are square rigged, each with three sails. The mizzenmast is square rigged on top, while below it carries a spanker sail. The bowsprit carries a flying jib and an outer jib. A figurehead adorns the bow.

The Grand Turk was built in Marmaris, Turkey in 1996 for the price of £2 million. She is an authentic replica, based on historical drawings, of the frigate HMS Blandford built in 1741. The deck is lined with cast iron smooth-bore cannon.

A frigate was neither large enough nor sufficiently well armed to fight in the "line of battle". Her function would have been primarily to scout for the main fleet, giving support where necessary, or carry messages.

Grand Turk figurehead

LINKS and REFERENCE

• "Grand Turk" website

• BBC video (42 min.) - re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar with the Grand Turk as the HMS Victory

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