about to start on a marvellous adventure.

Earlier this year, Shane' Thorne, of Warwick, was chosen by the Astrid Trust to sail on the Astrid , a British self-training tall ship.

The Astrid is one of just three square-rigged brigantines in the world, and is the only one flying the British flag. The ship last made a visit to Bermuda in April, where for three days, she made an impressive sight in Hamilton Harbour.

The Astrid carries a permanent crew of eight and 26 trainees who learn how to sail a tall ship. The programme also includes research on the environment and marine life as well as the geography and culture of every port that the ship visits.

Shane' was the first local girl chosen, and she sailed on the ship from St.

Lucia through the Virgin Islands to Britain, with a stop in Bermuda.

And that wasn't the only "first'' for Shane'. In addition to being the first Bermudian, Shane' had the distinction of being the "baby'' of the voyage -- at a tender 18-years-old.

"I was on the Astrid from February 28th until May 14,'' Shane' told The Royal Gazette .

"I learned the basic training skills on the ship, as well as sailing and its history. I was exposed to various cultures and different personalities. I had to learn to get along with the others, and once I got aboard and started making friends, it was very enjoyable.'' Life aboard ship was not all work, however.

"We went scuba diving and snorkelling. It (life) was physically and emotionally demanding, but it was wonderful. I'll never forget the friends I made, but I will especially remember `Topsy', the second officer. My biggest concern was my age.'' Shane' is a former student of Warwick Academy and is presently studying at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire.

"I've always enjoyed the ocean. I needed a diversion after high school, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. The Bank of Bermuda provided that diversion by enabling me to go this trip.'' Indeed, the Astrid Trust for Bermuda, presently run by retired British businessman Mr. Richard Thornton, is fortunate to be sponsored by a number of contributors.

"We are especially fortunate to have such generous sponsors as the Bank of Bermuda, Oil Insurance, Appleby, Spurling, and Kempe, G.T.E. Reinsurance, Johnson and Higgins, Bermuda Gas, Durrington Corporation and Rothschilds Charity, all of whom have made a significant contribution to the fund,'' Mr.

Thornton said.

Mr. Thornton had helped to raise funds in the 1980's when attempts were being made to restore the 138-foot ship.

"The Astrid Fund started way back in the 70's when the Astrid was wrecked on the River Hamble during what we suspect were smuggling activities. Commander Graham Neilson, retired, of the Royal Navy, spotted the ship, had it surveyed, and built into a brig. It was built in this design to accommodate a lot of people and the design is easily steered. You can move the ship in any direction -- almost sideways,'' he said.

"The masts are made from New Forest wood, the sails were bought with money we raised, and some cabins are built from famous liners, like the Queen Mary .

The ship was built to the highest Department of Trade and Industry specification as a British ship. The Royal Navy contributed funds, and in 1984, the Princess Royal dedicated the ship for the service of youth.'' The Astrid makes two trips every year. She crosses the Atlantic from Britain to the West Indies and back again to Britain, with stops in such exotic ports as the Windward and Leeward Islands, the Azores, St. Lucia and the Virgin Islands, and the north Venezuelan coast.

Marcy Judd, of Pembroke, will be joining the Astrid on her voyage back to Britain. Next March Marcy will sail through the West Indies to Bermuda, and then across the Atlantic to Britain with a stopover in the Azores.

Marcy, 22, a former student of Mount Saint Agnes Academy, graduated from St.

Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada this year. Marcy has just returned to Bermuda after completing a language course at the Eurocentre in La Rochelle, France.

"I'm looking forward to the whole experience. It's going to be a challenge for me because I have always been a shy person. If I can face this, I can do anything,'' she said.

Marcy applied for the trip because it involved two of her interests: sailing and traveling.

"I worked for a yacht charter company and that job got me interested in sailing. Two years ago my sister got back from the Astrid trip, and she had lots of stories to tell.'' Mr. Thornton announced that Patrick Singleton has been chosen to join the Astrid this week.

Patrick, 19, of Southampton, will be leaving on Thursday to go to Grenada to sail from there to the Windward and Leeward Islands and the islands of the north Venezuelan coast.

Patrick, a former Saltus Grammar School student and Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal award winner, placed fourth in the national Scottish Laser Sailing Championships this past summer and is currently at college in North Carolina.

"I developed an interest in sailing while I was in boarding school in Scotland,'' Patrick said. "I have been sailing since I was young, and I love it. I've never experienced `open-water' sailing and that's why I applied. This is incredible, and will be an experience of a lifetime. I know I will enjoy it, and since my ancestors came from the West Indies, I saw this as an opportunity.'' Mr. Thornton is careful to stress that the Fund would like to see more Bermudians apply.

"With the continuing support from both the business and local community, we will enable even more young Bermudians to experience this incredible opportunity,'' he said. "However, as all the voyages are booked for 1994, it is important for young people to think at least a year ahead.'' "The Bank of Bermuda has been extremely helpful,'' Mr. Thornton said. "If anyone would like to find out more about the Astrid Fund, we are a registered charity. In the New Year we will be organising more publicity.'' A TRIP OF A LIFETIME -- Three young Bermudians are grateful to the Astrid Fund for Bermuda for giving them the opportunity to have the experience of a lifetime. Shane' Thorne, 18, has already sailed aboard the Astrid from St.

Lucia to Britain, and Patrick Singleton, 19, and Marcy Judd, 22, will sail on the ship in the next few months. The Astrid is a British self-training tall ship dedicated to teaching youth to sail a tall ship. Pictured, from left are: Shane', Patrick, Marcy and Chairman of the Astrid Fund for Bermuda, Mr.

Richard Thrornton.