The Grand Turk

The Building of the Grand Turk

The Grand Turk, the first British frigate to be hand-built from wood for more than 140 years, made its screen debut in Horatio Hornblower in the starring role of the HMS Indefatigable.

She is the brainchild of Surrey boatbuilder Michael Turk and his partners, naval architect John Heath and marine engineer Ian MacDougal. Heath designed the ship after months of research in naval records at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

The 152-foot, 22-cannon frigate was constructed by a team of forty Turkish boat builders on the beach in the Southern Turkish port of Marmaris, using traditional tools and more than 200 cubic meters of iroko (a wood similar to mahogany).

The vessel attracted much attention from tourists in the booming resort, who took special boat trips across the bay to watch the progress of the unique construction.

The Grand Turk was authentically rigged for sailing, but was also fitted with engines to facilitate the film work. This enabled her to travel at ten knots under sail, and more under engine power. She was also built with more headroom between decks than historical accuracy demands to accommodate actors, cameras and lights.

For Michael Turk the construction of The Grand Turk was the realization of a childhood dream.

"The Turk family has built ships and boats since the times of the Crusades, so I didn't need to think twice before deciding whether to achieve an ambition and build a large, fully rigged wooden sailing ship. It was a proud moment for me to see The Grand Turk launched," says Turk.