vided by The Manifold Trust, a major grant-making charitable trust, which has promised to underwrite the full cost of restoration. This is a most extraordinarily generous offer, the like of which has probably never been equalled. But that is not to say that The Manifold Trust intends to pay all the bills. It expects The Maritime Trust to make every effort to raise money and to mobilise help from all quarters . However, it has met all the initial expenses. The total required remains uncertain but is expected to lie between £ 4 million and £ 8 million depending to a great extent on the time/ inflation equation and the method of working. Hartlepool was chosen for a number of reasons, but first, there still exists in the ship building communities of the northeast, the variety of necessary traditional skills. It is also in a Special Development Area which attracts several forms of Government assistance. However, the determining factor is the presence of the firm Locomotion Enterprises (1975) Limited, based on Springwell, County Durham, which will be known to many readers as the builders of the Locomotion replica, and the more recent Rocket replica for the Science Museum. Locomotion Enterprises, seeking a way to expand their activities, approached The
Maritime Trust and it was ultimately agreed that both should collaborate in the reconstruction of the Warrior. Various shipyards were looked at for a possible berth but all were ruled out as too large, too obsolete, too remote or too expensive. It was finally decided, on grounds of economy and of developing public interest, that it would be best to set up a purpose-built facility in Hartlepool. The old coal dock is within five minutes walk of the High Street and is bounded by roads accessible to the public. There is vacant space around and the old Custom House was available for a refit headquarters . A small factory will be set up by Locomotion Enterprises which will carry out much of the fabrication needs. Here the ship will lie for the five years of her reconstruction, before moving to Portsmouth for final fitting out and berthing. The Maritime Trust's intention is to return the ship as far as possible to her 1860 state, and then to put her on show as a prime example of the Victorian Navy, and of the extraordinary technical strength of the country in the mid-Victorian era. At Portsmouth, a berth is under consideration by The Maritime Trust and the City Council. It also has the support of the Portsmouth Royal Naval Museum who are very interested in the Victorian Navy.
The proposed berth is off The Hard, halfway between the Harbour Station and the Dockyard . In this position, a big fullrigged mid-Victorian ship will be a spectacular sight, in close juxtaposition to the mid-eighteenth century Victory and the mid-twentieth century modern navy. The details of the final degree of restoration are not yet decided but it will at least include the rigging, the upper deck, the gun deck, with the officers' and crews' quarters and their equipment. A replica of the remarkable engine is also a possibility. On Warrior's eventual departure from Hartlepool, Locomotion Enterprises plan to take over the facilities created and to develop a major national centre for the reconstuction of steam locomotives and rolling stock. This will ensure that the skills, machinery and employment which have been brought together will have a long term future.
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This is a great project which will require much detailed study and a tremendous amount of organisation. It will also need massive support in both money and materials. Success will depend on the dedicated efforts of many people over a long period. We are starting out hopefully in the expectation that the results will justify our efforts . .t
Sail on the Schooner
HARVEY GAMAGE Plying the New England Coast and the West Indies trade, the HARVEY GAMAGE accommodates 34 passengers in airy, private staterooms. For further information phone or write to : HARVEY GAMAGE Dept. SH , 39 Waterside Lane Clinton, Conn. 06413
Tel: 203-669-7068
The Thames Spritsail Barge 'REMINDER' Sails the waters of the Thames estuary and the East Coast of England providing exciting sailing holidays. Built in 1929 Reminder has been ski llfull y converted for hol iday cruising whilst maintaining her traditional ch aracter. One week fully incl usive cru ises st arting and finishing at o ur Maldon base from £100 per berth . If you are thinking of visiting Britain in 198 1 write fo r advance details of our h istoric craft ho lidays. Free cruise brochure from:
Capt. Roser Beckett
ANGLIAN YACHT SERVICES LTD . 28Spital Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 6EB United Kingdom
SEA HISTORY, WINTER 1980
New London to Boston via the Cape Cod Canal. To help celebrate the 350th anniversary of the City of Boston, the M.V. BLOCK ISLAND will sail from New London to Boston on Thursday, May 29, with the return trip on Saturday, May 31. Take advantage of a rare opportunity to travel this section of the New England coast by water. On Friday, May 30 the BLOCK ISLAND will serve as a spectator boat for the great parade of Tall Ships entering Boston Harbor. For further information write: The New England Steamship Co. · of Massachusetts, Inc. Dept. H, 51 South St. Berlin, MA 01503
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