SHIP NOTES, SEAPORT & MUSEUM NEWS
WORLD SHIP TRUST REPORT Ten years ago, in October 1974, Frank Carr came to the United States to advocate the establishment of a World Ship Trust, an instrument designed to preserve and bring fresh life to the world's heritage in historic ships. Earlier in his career he had served as Director of England's National Maritime Museum, making it in the decades after World War 11 the pre-eminent maritime museum in the world; he had separately founded, with Prince Philip, the Cutty Sark Society to preserve the last surviving clipper ship, and he had led the way in the successful establishment of England's Maritime Trust, an institution which saved about as many historic ships in its first ten years, as were saved throughout the rest of the world combined. (Some of these achievements are recorded in a booklet the National Society got out about Carr's work in 1974; "Take Good Care of Her, Mister. .." available from NMHS for $2.) As Karl Kortum, Chief Curator of the National Maritime Museum, San Francisco, has said, Frank Carr's work has been to "honor the sea's glory the hard way-by saving ships. Real ships." Frank himself has spoken memorably on the object ofthat exercise: "The men who built the sailing ships put more than wood and iron into them. They put their spirit into them." Here is Frank Carr's report on the World Ship Trust, as it approaches the fifth anniversary of its founding on December 29, 1979. It is with much pleasure that we open this year-end report with the announcement that Admiral of the Fleet , The Right Honorable Lord Lewin, has accepted the World Ship Trust's invitation to become a Vice President , joining Sir Peter Scott and Lord Shackleton in that capacity. And we have good news on the literary front, with Erik Abranson's Cathedrals ofthe Sea , an
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authoritative review of the leading cases of historic ship preservation now back on track after a long hiatus due to the author's other nautical activities-activities for which the world has cause to be grateful! It is hoped that the final editorial work and proof reading will be undertaken by Rick Hogben , author of numerous articles on ships and the sea. Norman Brouwer's International Register ofHistoric Ships is now well advanced with the publisher, Anthony Nelson, of Oswestry, and should appear next spring. This monumental work, the fruit of twenty years' labor with circulation of key lists through the medium of SEA HISTORY over the last dozen years, is dedicated to HRH , Prince Philip, President of the Maritime Trust of Great Britain , and includes his message to the World Ship Trust delivered at the public introduction of the Trust in London in November 1980. The Register covers 650 ships, with some 350 illustrations. The cost of production will be high. To keep it within reach of many of those research workers, historians and students for whom it is designed to be of the greatest serviceas indeed it should be-we are seeking a subsidy which will enable us to bring the price down. Donations have already been made by Adrian Hooper of Philadelphia, and the Augustine Courtauld Trust and the Cutty Sark Society in England. Our Falkland Islands involvement continues apace. Dr. Fred Yalouris' team of David Switzer and Bruce Lane tested the iron plating of the bark Lady Elizabeth in Port Stanley this spring, as part of the cooperative agreement between ourselves and the Harvard University-Peabody Snow Squall Project. Some eight punctures were discovered in the hull below the waterline. Preliminary findings indicate that the integrity of the hull , while inadequate for ocean tow, is quite good enough for exhibition in Port Stanley as a museum ship. George Campell, architect of the
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The Lady Elizabeth
restoration of the Cutty Sark in London and the l#:lvertree in New York , is working up plans for the Lady Elizabeth restoration for us. There has also been a detailed survey of many of the wrecks by a specially commissioned consultant engineer and naval architect, M.R.C. Parr, employed by the Falkland Islands Foundation . His report makes clear the need for immediate action to prevent the Jhelum from disintegrating. A careless young man's cigarette caused a small fire aboard the ship last year, and though no significant damage was done, the incident underscores the grave need to permanently safeguard these ships. Michael Stammers of the Merseyside Museums , Liverpool, reports that his institution does not now have the resources to handle the whole Jhelum hull and suggests that pieces might be salvaged for Liverpool , with the permi ss ion of the Receiver of Wrecks, the balance to be dismantled and stored ashore for future exhibition. The condition of the Connecticut-built packet Charles Cooper is also threatened. Despite strenuous efforts by Norman Brouwe r and others over a period of almost ten years, the ship is breaking up. Unless something is done to lift her starboard side out of the splash zone, it will be progressively eaten away and the ship will ultimately collapse into the harbor. So far as the Lady Elizabeth is concerned, Mr. Parr reports that immediate action is necessary to stay the mainmast on the starboard side, and to strengthen the sling and truss supporting the main yard. Mr. Parr spent some time assisting the Snow Squall team , who found that a gale in January had carried away a 36ft by 8ft section of the starboard bow. With the help of British armed forces personnel the bow section was recovered and set up ashore. What remains of the wreck seems to be stabilized. Over four tons of the Snow Squall were removed and shipped to Portland , Maine, in 1983. Recommendations for the Egeria, the ship of Canadian importance, include spraying with a rot proofer, rearranging the sheeting on the SEA HISTORY, WINTER 1984-85