For this replica was the design of the British HMS Blandford belonging to the 133 Establishement 20-gun 6th rate frigates. Launched at the shipyard of West, Deptford, England on 2 October 1741 and which was finally sold in December 1763. The Grand Turk was laid down in December 1996 at Marmaris, Turkey for account of the Turk Phoenix Ltd and launched on September 1997 to be used in TV series dealing with the British naval officer Horatio Hornblower who appeared in the novels written by C.S. Forester. In 2010 after she was acquired by the French company Étoile Marine Crosières with as homeport Saint Malo, France and renamed Étoile du Roy.
France-flagged, IMO 900582, MMSI 228000700 and callsign FFZA. Tonnage 314 gross and 94 net tons with as dimensions 30 (waterline)-38 (deck)-46 (over all) x 10 x 3,0 metres or 97’-125’-152’ x 34’x 10’. Also fitted out with 2x400 hp diesel engines and 1-60hp bow thruster which made a speed possible of 9 knots when the engines are used. She is fully rigged with a sail area of 790 square metres/8.500 square feet. Her permanent crew numbers 9 persons increased with maximum 29 volunteers. The armament consisted of 6-9pd guns and 3-2pd guns.
