tall ship sails: Wave of emotion as frigate leaves its home port

Mark Branagan

Fair stood the wind for France last night as Grand Turk, one of Britain’s most famous tall ships, prepared to leave Whitby – on a wave of emotion.

The replica vessel was expected to make its way out to sea at 4am today after being bought by French company Etoile Marine, based in St Malo in a multi-million pound deal.

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The loss of the ship, star of TV shows such as Hornblower, is already being mourned by tourist bosses in Whitby, which has been Grand Turk’s home port since 2003.

Buyers from Caribbean, Mediterranean and French companies all had their eye on the ship since it went on the market for 2.8m.

Grand Turk was built to grace the silver screen but with computer generated imagery becoming cheaper and more convenient for film makers, there had been a fall in bookings.

Its new owners will use her for corporate entertaining and day sailing for tourists, visits, corporate hospitality and European sea festivals, as well as film shoots.

The man-o-war, whose main mast stands 117ft above the water, is based on historical drawings of the frigate Blandford, but is also equipped with diesel engines.

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