A CREWLESS Ghost Ship sailed into the River Tyne yesterday after its maiden voyage from the Shetlands.

The spectral ship is an art project by US artist Chris Burden, who had the idea in 1991, when he was going to sail three small Ghost Ships from South Carolina to Plymouth.

He had a small sailboat built but was unable to complete the electronics. His idea became a reality when funding was granted earlier this year.

The 28ft boat, a sixareen, was built in Shetland's Fair Isle by Ian Best, whose family hails from Durham.

Experts from the University of Southampton then fitted it with the equipment which would enable independent navigation.

Ghost Ship was trailed in its North Sea journey by a support vessel, RV Berenicia.

It was commissioned by Newcastle arts agency Locus+.

Published: 29/07/2005