by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- What do you get when you put together a pool stick, parts of children's toys, a broom stick, rubber bands and fishing tackle? Prior to his death in January, Tallmadge resident Ted Hornsby created a 3.5-foot-long replica of the F.V. Andrea Gail fishing vessel from the movie and book "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger.
Hornsby created something with pieces and parts even MacGyver would have trouble with -- and it's actually seaworthy.
According to his wife, Kelly, Hornsby started the project in December 2005 and finished it after about 300 hours of work.
"He would work on it on and off after work in our basement," she said.
According to Kelly, her husband was inspired to build the model after the couple vacationed in New England in 2005.
While sightseeing, they visited the Gloucester Maritime Museum in Massachusetts and Hornsby was interested in "The Perfect Storm" story, Kelly said.
The couple also went to The Crow's Nest, a local bar where some of the family of one of the fishermen lost at sea owned and worked at, she said.
"There are pictures on the walls of all of the people lost on the Andrea Gail," Kelly said, "as well as pictures of cast members from the movie, including George Clooney."
When the couple returned to Tallmadge, Kelly said her husband couldn't shake the story, noting, "Wow this isn't just a movie, it was real people, real lives."
Before his death, Hornsby wrote in a letter, "I decided the best option ... to symbolize the life and struggles of the New England fishing culture ... was to build the Andrea Gail, from scratch and return it to the people of Gloucester."
Kelly said her husband started researching the story by reading a book based on the event, watching the movie and reading copies of the Coast Guard reports.
Kelly said her husband contacted one of the boat's former crew members, Sal Benton, and Benton helped with the dimensions and colors of the model.
"Through many phone conversations with Sal over the winter, the Andrea Gail slowly came back to life," said Kelly.
According to Kelly, the mast is made from a pool stick and her husband "robbed" his grandson's toy box for different parts to complete the model.
The railings of the model are made from office baskets, the fuel drums are made from broomsticks and rubber bands and the rigging lines are made of bait and tackle.
According to Kelly, her husband built the boat with a remote control and all of the parts and pieces were chosen because of their weight.
"Before he passed away, he wanted to make sure it got somewhere people could see it and where it couldn't be ruined," said Kelly.
So, Hornsby sent a letter offering the model to the Gloucester Maritime Museum and it was accepted. According to Kelly, the model was packed and delivered to the museum March 3 by some of the couple's friends.
Kelly said the model will be on permanent display at the museum starting May 31.
Before he died, Hornsby wrote of the project, "As the fishing industry is slowly disappearing in the North Atlantic waters off New England, the Andrea Gail will be a reminder of the life struggle of the disappearing fishing culture of Gloucester and other fishing communities," Hornsby said.
Info box:
According to information published on the event, the Andrea Gail departed Gloucester Sept. 20, 1991. Returning from the Grand Banks on Oct. 28, the crew encountered high winds and waves reported to exceed 100 feet. After the captain's transmission "She's comin' on boys, and she's comin' on strong," no further messages were sent from the vessel. On Nov. 8, the Andrea Gail's position-indicating device was discovered washed ashore on Sable Island. The ship and its six-member crew were never found.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
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Special to Record Publishing Co.
(TE Andrea Gail) The 3.5 foot replica of the Andrea Gail from "The Perfect Storm" is made of unusual parts and pieces and has a remote control which allows the model to navigate through waters.
(TE Andrea Gail 2) Before passing away in January, Ted Hornsby took his model of the Andrea Gail from the book and movie "The Perfect Storm" for its maiden voyage after completing the 3.5 foot replica in the summer of 2006.
(TE Crow's Nest) Ted Hornsby, creator of the Andrea Gail model accepted in the Gloucester Maritime Museum, took his replica to the Crow's Nest before giving it to the museum. The Crow's Nest is a local bar run by and owned by some of the family and lost crewmembers of the Andrea Gail.
(TE Museum Model) The Andrea Gail replica was delivered to the Gloucester Maritime Museum March 3 where it will remain on display from May 31 until the museum closes or it is returned to the family and friends Ted Hornsby.