The 'Pequod' is the fictional 19th century Nantucket whaleship that appears in the 1851 novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. The Pequod and her crew, commanded by Captain Ahab, figure prominently in the story, which after the initial chapters takes place nearly entirely aboard the ship during a long three-year whaling expedition in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, and in search of the infamous whale "Moby Dick".

Pequod for the film was real life ship the "Ryelands" which as built at Glasson Dock, and registered at the Port of Lancaster in 1887.

The schooner was used in the China clay trade between the wars, then worked in the Bristol Channel, until she was purchased by Elstree Studios, and in 1950 appeared in "Treasure Island" as the "Hispaniola".

During 1952-54 she had a brief life in Scarborough as a tourist attraction called the "Hispanioquarium", where below decks was fitted out with a display of tropical fish.

The ship then came to be used in the 1956 film "Moby Dick" as the "Pequod" starring Gregory Peck.

In 1960 she was bought by a Morecambe businessman and was returned to Glasson Dock, and later moved & moored just off the Central Promenade in Morecambe, and became a popular tourist attraction under the guise of "Moby Dick".

The ship was painted pale blue, bright black and red, she was 140ft in length and weighed 108 tons.
You could board and look around for one shilling (adult) or sixpence (child).

Sadly in 1972 she was destroyed by a fire, the fame and fortune she had enjoyed for over 83 years had come to an abrupt end.


The photos below show her in 1969 and after the fire.

Here's a link to other photos...

http://www.historiclanca.../moby-dick-in-morecambe