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Famous Square Rigger gets overhaul in Penzance Dry Dock
5
Nov�
2010
Square Rigger, the Earl of Pembroke � star of both TV and film, is undergoing its annual service in the Dry Dock in Penzance.
The ship, which is normally based at Charlestown, on the outskirts of St Austell in Cornwall, entered the dock on Thursday 4 November and is currently being inspected and serviced by engineers at the town�s facility. It�s expected to stay in the dock until Tuesday 9 November - she will be berthed there for 5 days while the work is completed.
The 145ft long, 14 sail ship has appeared in popular TV programmes like �Hornblower III�, and �Moll Flanders� as well as films including �Treasure Island� and �Frenchman�s Creek�. She also offers sailing experiences for enthusiasts who can stay on-board in one of the five passenger cabins.
The Earl of Pembroke is the second largest in the Square Sail fleet and was built in Sweden in 1948. Originally named Orion, she traded timber in the Baltic and British East Coast, until being laid up in Denmark in 1974. In 1985 she underwent a complete restoration programme and in 1994 she was commissioned as the three-masted 18th Century wooden Barque that she is today.
Penzance Dry Dock is leased to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company and is one of the UK�s longest established dry docks, providing facilities for vessels in need of repair and conversion. Open 365 days of the year, the dry dock has a skilled workforce and takes in around 10 to 15 ships a year. It has a dedicated docking berth, a drying-out berth and a range of workshops for fabrication, fitting, electrical work and carpentry.
Jeff Marston, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company commented: �To be servicing the needs of this magnificent and prestigious ship is a real honour for the team working at Penzance Dry Dock. I think it demonstrates that, as well as looking after the Scillonian III, Gry Maritha and other passenger and freight ships on a regular basis, that the experienced team here are used to providing some of the best skills and knowledge in the industry, as well as being well-placed to deliver the high-levels of service our customers have come to expect.�
David Redhead, General Manager of Square Sail, the company that owns the Earl of Pembroke added: �We are very happy to be able to utilize the facilities at Penzance Dry Dock and the skills of a local Cornish company.�
Ends
5 November, 2010
Notes to Editors:
Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Ltd was formed on 26 March 1920 and the first Scillonian Ship began regular trips to the Isles of Scilly on Thursday 2 February 1926. Since then the company has continually operated the shipping service which is a life line for the Isles of Scilly.
This year will be Scillonian III�s 33rd year of service. The ship was commissioned and built for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd in Devon with work starting in 1973. She sailed her maiden voyage on 19th May 1977 and since then has become a signature sight of the Islands and a preferred method of travel for many visitors and islanders alike.
For more information contact:
Ryan Martinez
Deborah Clark Associates on behalf of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Co.
01208 77900 / 07887 746569
[email protected]
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