The model for the replica was a frigate designed by Michael Turk of Turks Shipyard Ltd. of Chatham, which was established in 1710.[2] The modern replica was constructed of iroko planking over laminated mahogany frames. She has an overall length of 152feet, and is 97feet at the waterline, with a beam of 34feet and a draught of 10feet. The frigate is square-rigged on three masts with a sail area of 8500square feet, and has two 400hp Kelvin TAS8 diesel engines, and a 60hp bow thruster, as well as four AC generators for electrical power.
The ship was originally fitted with six 9-pounder replica cannon constructed by the naval dockyard of Sevastopol, Ukraine. These guns consisted of a high tensile steel tube encased in moulded alloy to resemble the original weapons, and were designed only to fire 400g black powder charges. On 24 August 2001 a crew member was injured after a premature explosion during the firing of a gun, while the ship was taking part in the International Festival of the Sea at Portsmouth. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch were obliged to consult the Keeper of Artillery from the Royal Armouries museum for technical assistance and advice.
Grand Turk is familiar as a stand in for in the TV series Hornblower, although the historical Indefatigable was a much larger ship. She also served in the same TV series as the French ship Papillon. In 2000, she undertook a voyage around Britain for the National Trust, calling at eight ports, where she was open to the public with the National Trust 'Coast Show' on board. On 28 June 2005 she stood in for, Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, during the International Fleet Review off Portsmouth (GB), commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
The frigate was purchased by Bob Escoffier of the Étoile Marine Croisières, which already operates a number of traditional sailing ships: Étoile de France, Étoile Molène, Étoile Polaire, Naire Maove and the schooner-aviso Recouvrance in Brest (in partnership with its owner, the SOPAB). The final sale price was not disclosed.
After being moored in Whitby for over a decade, Grand Turk sailed for her current location in France on 16 March 2010.