Ship comes in for teen
A TRIP to Whitby inspired a Netherton teenager to join a ship's crew.
Andrew Green, 17, was enjoying an Easter Holiday break in the coastal town of Whitby when he embarked on a tour of The Grand Turk, an 18th century replica 'man-o-war' ship, berthed in the harbour.
The Grand Turk has featured in many films and was one of the stars of the ITV drama Hornblower.
Andrew said: "After the tour I was asked by one of the ship's crew if I might be interested in joining as a volunteer. I had a medical and was accepted as a crew member."
As he tried to find his sea legs during the first day on board Andrew was unaware of his seafaring duties.
Andrew said: "In Whitby, on the first day of the voyage I played a slave in a BBC documentary about slavery.
"I was fastened to the rigging, had to scrub the decks and was finally carried off the ship after being killed.
"It was great fun and I even got paid."
The Grand Turk left Whitby harbour and headed out into the North Sea on Tuesday, May 10. Two days later the ship docked in the port of Ramsgate before sailing to Dunkirk to pick up some French sailors en route to the Ostend Anchor Festival.
Andrew said: "We were one of several tall ships at the festival. While we were in Ostend we re-enacted a sea battle, acting out a mock fight firing cannons and muskets."
At the end of the month Andrew is hoping to be back on board The Grand Turk to join in the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, in Portsmouth.
Some of Seaman Andrew's duties include painting, tending to the cannons, overcoming his fear of heights to check the rigging and doing two hourly watches.
Andrew said: "We had to do watches throughout the night, in the first few days I would only get about three hours' sleep.
"I think the hardest thing to get the hang of was sleeping in my hammock.
"Only the captain and senior crew members had bunks, the rest of us had hammocks hung below deck."
Andrew, of Highfield Road, is now weighing up an offer.
Andrew said: "The captain, Ian MacDougal, has asked me if I want to become a permanent crew member, it is something I am genuinely considering."
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Weather for Wakefield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
