Falls of Clyde in Crisis
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t’s been a bumpy couple of months for the historic Falls of Clyde. Built in Port Glasgow in 1878 for the sugar trade and later converted for oil transport, the ship has been in the care of the group Friends of the Falls of Clyde since 2008, docked in Honolulu Harbor. The Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division impounded the ship in 2016, citing the ship’s deteriorating condition and a threat to port operations and public safety. The organization Save Falls of Clyde – International then worked together with the Friends of the Falls of Clyde to develop a plan to return the ship to Scotland, where she would be restored as an educational and training vessel. The former had secured an agreement with a transport company to depart with the Falls on 3 February of this year, just ahead of the 6 February deadline set by the HDOT to remove the vessel from the harbor—HDOT had declared that if the deadline were not met, the ship would be put up for auction. The agreement with the ship-lift company fell through, however, and the two groups were left trying to negotiate a new agreement to transport the vessel. On 7 February, HDOT announced the public auction of the Falls of Clyde.
As Sea History goes to press, the situation surrounding Falls of Clyde in Honolulu has turned very challenging in our effort to repatriate the ship to Scotland. In January, it was observed that the ship was low in the water at her berth. Investigation found she was taking on water through leaks apparently caused by the recent hull inspection process. The USCG and Harbors Division activated an Emergency Procurement protocol to bring quick remediation and pumping to prevent sinking. We are also facing deadlines: 28 February for responses to the public auction, and 1 June to clear the vessel from Honolulu Harbor prior to the beginning of hurricane season. Unless we can prevail for additional time to complete our lift operation prior to June, the ship could be lost, scuttled in deep water south of Oahu using a previously approved disposal operation. This action would be a tragic loss of this National Historic Landmark, and important international symbol of commerce and Scottish pride. Assistance is needed on several fronts. We ask for urgent communications sent to Harbors Division in support of our Save Falls of Clyde – International effort. We are also looking for emergency funding to accelerate preparations for a lift operation before June. We are ready to discuss creative programs for supporters and sponsors. Repurposing Falls of Clyde to a productive educational role is coming together with support from companies, institutions, and government. We are engaged with members of the Scottish government and UK Parliament. We need more time to finalize berthing and restoration plans using River Clyde as her new home. For updates: visit Save Falls of Clyde – International’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/savefallsofclyde/. To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/save-the-falls-of-clyde-beforeshe-is-gone-forever. — David O’Neil, savefallsofclyde@gmail.com. 52
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Report from Save the Falls of Clyde International’s David O’Neil
SEA HISTORY 166, SPRING 2019