A REPLICA of one of the most famous sailing ships of all time is to come to Hartlepool.

Captain Cook's Bark Endeavour will dock at Hartlepool Marina next summer as part of the town's Maritime Festival.

Endeavour, currently moored in Middlesbrough, will fire cannons to launch the festival and will be moored alongside the town's HMS Trincomalee.

The replica ship, made in Sydney, Australia, was launched in 1993 and has drawn crowds of thousands across the world.

Four years of research went into building the replica of Cook's 18th Century ship and she sails with a professional crew of 16.

Cook, born at Marton, now a suburb of Middlesbrough, in 1728, set sail to chart the east coast of Australia.

He died when he was killed by natives in Hawaii in 1779.

The Endeavour is expected to arrive on Saturday, July 3, for the two-day Maritime Festival

Colin Read, Hartlepool's arts and museums officer, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Bark Endeavour will be visiting Hartlepool next year and for our 2004 Maritime Festival.

"Endeavour cutting through the waves will be a truly inspiring sight."

Published: 31/10/2003