NationalHistoricShips

NationalHistoricShipsParkRowGreenwichLondonSE109NF

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk

Fundedby

p April 2007 - March 2008Annual Report

COVER with Pocket:COVER 24/10/08 09:01 Page 1

During the year ending March 2008 several of the United Kingdom’s most

significant historic vessels faced extraordinary challenges. There were

serious fires on board the clipper ship Cutty Sark and the harbour

defence motor launch Medusa. Elsewhere, the other clipper ship City of

Adelaide, the minesweeper HMS Bronington and the former Fairmile

launch Golden Galleon were deemed to have no sustainable future by

their owners, who brought forward proposals for these ships to be broken

up.

Fortified by additional assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund the Cutty

Sark is coping with the aftermath of the fire, and Medusa’s recovery is

also proceeding well. National Historic Ships has been actively involved in

attempts to find sustainable futures for other ships in difficulties. We

Foreword

COVER with Pocket:COVER 24/10/08 09:01 Page 2

played a pivotal role in the negotiations over the HMS Bronington,

ensuring that, whatever her fate, the maximum amount of material from

her structure will be saved for display or incorporation in other vessels.

We also continue to support and advise on attempts to build sustainable

futures for the City of Adelaide, the frigate Unicorn and the topsail

schooner Kathleen & May. Although no satisfactory solution could be

found for the problems facing Golden Galleon, National Historic Ships

ensured she was recorded properly before she was broken up.

In this second year of our operation, we have established ourselves as an

authority to which funding bodies, national and local, public and private,

turn for advice on historic ship matters. But we also exist to help the

individuals and trusts that look after historic vessels. This year, we

dispensed more than £76,000 from our Strategic Development Fund, and

we have also launched the first in a series of publications, providing vessel

owners with advice and guidance on best practice in ship recording.

We have continued our successful programme of forum meetings around

the coast, open to the owners, operators and others interested in historic

vessels. These meetings provide us with the opportunity to explain our

mission, but equally importantly they help us to understand the issues

confronting those who manage historic vessels. Looking ahead, there are

still many challenges to be faced, but the year has strengthened our

confidence, our reputation and our resolution to ensure that there is a

strong, secure future for historic vessels as a central part of our maritime

heritage.

1

Robert Prescott,Chairman

Martyn Heighton,Director and Secretary to the Advisory Committee

We are pleased to present the second annual report of the Advisory

Committee on National Historic Ships, a non-departmental public body

reporting to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, with the

specific remit to advise the Secretary of State and other public funding

bodies on ship preservation and funding priorities. The report sets out

the principal activities of the Committee and its staff, and how its

resources were deployed, during the financial year 2007-08. Our

forward plan is included as an insert within the back cover.

This publication, along with the advice documents mentioned in

the text, will also be available as a download from our website,

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk.

Introduction

Front cover illustration: ss Great Britain, Mandy Reynolds © Trustees of the ss Great Britain Trust

2

Strategic Development Fund 4

Major consultations 8

Research and publications 14

Meetings, forums and visits 15

Foundations for the future 18

The Registers 22

Income and expenditure accounts 24

Deploying our resources 27

Appendices:

A The remit, targets and priorities of National Historic Ships 28

B Members of the Comittee and staff 30

Volunteers and consultants 32

C The National Historic Fleet 34

Contents

3

HMS CavalierDestroyer

4

The Strategic Development Fund was launched in 2006 to assist owners,

trusts and societies responsible for craft on the National Register of

Historic Vessels to attend conferences, training courses, develop

business plans, improve interpretation, undertake essential repairs and

purchase vital equipment. The scheme has proved immensely popular

and during the financial year 2007/2008 a total of £76,013 was

dispensed in grants to vessel owners, trusts and societies. Applications

for conference bursaries, training bursaries and sustainability awards

were all considered, but to meet the high number of sustainability

applications, money was transferred from the other two funds.

Experience has shown that relatively small grants can make a real

difference. However there is still a great deal to do and we need to find

ways of increasing monies available for this vital aspect of our work. The

full list of awards to date is set out in the table on pages 5 and 6.

(CC= Core Collection, DV = Designated Vessel List, Reg = Registered)

Strategic Development Fund

5

Vessel Status Grant Purpose Awarded£

199 DV SustainabilityNew descriptive literature and

1,137portable display panels

Aldgate and Angel Reg/Reg Sustainability Remedial and protective work 3,000

Blue Leader: Reg Sustainability Re-planking bow section of the hull at 937RAF 2561 the waterline

Bramble Reg Sustainability New gunwales and running gear 3,000

Bruce’s DV Sustainability Lifting out of the water 750

Cactus Reg Sustainability New interpretation signs 400

Calshot CC Sustainability Survey costs 1,000

Coronia DV Sustainability Survey costs 3,000

Corrie CC Sustainability Bow strengthening and mast repair 2,750

Española Reg Sustainability Spars 3,000

Cornish Maiden Reg Sustainability Crane hire 2,000

Humber Keel andSustainability Production of educational material 975Sloop Preservation Society

James Stevens DV Sustainability Signage 2,000No.14

Kent DV Sustainability Hull maintenance 3,000

Keewaydin Reg Sustainability New sails 3,000

Lady Francesca Reg Sustainability Hull caulking 2,000

Lively Hope CC Sustainability Conservation plan 3,000

Mary Gordon Reg Sustainability Education planning for HLF bid 1,000

Vessel Status Grant Purpose Awarded£

Medway Queen DV SustainabilityPreliminary stability and

1,316structural assessment

Morna Reg Sustainability Deck repairs 2,000

SS Nomadic CC Sustainability Survey costs 2,000

North Carr DV Sustainability Signage 2,300

Pioneer Reg Sustainability Consultant to draw up business plan 2,250

Regal Lady DV Sustainability Dry docking 3,000

Resolute Lady Reg Sustainability Survey costs 1,000

Scottish FisheriesTraining Training course for volunteers 1,000Museum Boat Club

Snowdon Star Reg Training Boatbuilding course 3,000

Spider T DV Sustainability New sails 3,000

HMS Stalker Reg Sustainability Survey 3,000

Swallow Reg Sustainability Engine repairs 600

VIC 32 DV Sustainability Volunteer working group 1,000

Vigilance DV Sustainability New sails 3,000

Vigilant CC Sustainability Legal advice 3,000

MFV Voyageur Reg Sustainability Timber for the hull and deck 3,000

Wheelhouse Reg Sustainability General repairs and new saloon 2,600

Wherry YachtSustainability Slipway repair 3,000Charter Charitable Trust

6

7

Grants financial summary 2007-08 2006-07£ £

INCOMEDCMS 80,000 80,000Surplus 2006/07 carried forward 50,593 0Additional funds 700 0

Total Income 131,293 80,000

EXPENDITUREVessel grants

Conferences 0 (1,683)Training (4,000) (1,449)Sustainability (72,013) (26,275)

Total vessel grants (76,013) (29,407)

ProjectsUnicorn & City of Adelaide (5,500)Infrastructure audit (12,552)Conservation Pilot Book (26,373)

Total projects (44,425)

Total expenditure (120,438) (29,407)

Funds to carry forward 10,855 50,593

34% 55% 3% 0% 8%

0% 33% 2% 2% 63%2006-07

2007-08

Project Sustainability

Training Conferences

Carry Forward

8

HMS Alliance The Royal Navy Submarine Museum applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a

grant for part of a project to restore this Core Collection ship. National Historic Ships advised HLF that the

proposals presented were not the best possible solution for the vessel. The Museum subsequently agreed to

withdraw its application with the intention to resubmit a stronger bid. National Historic Ships is assisting the

Museum in developing a substantially better proposal.

HMS Bronington National Historic Ships has, since its inception in 2006, sought a permanent home

for this Ton Class minesweeper but without success. Therefore, to achieve a positive result, National Historic

Ships initiated and led a consortium (which included the Royal Naval Museum, the Imperial War Museum,

Chatham Historic Dockyard and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Commission, with the support of the Museum,

Libraries and Archives Council) to map out a deconstruction plan for the vessel. As a result, members of the

consortium acquired parts, fixtures and fittings for their public collections and thus some of Bronington will be

preserved in perpetuity.

Kathleen & May This West Country ketch is now on the open market, although no firm offers have

been received. The Director has met with the Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport to discuss how a

strong trust or community interest company could be established to campaign and eventually take over the

vessel, if the funding can be raised.

Pilgrim National Historic Ships supported the application to HLF for conservation of this Brixham trawler.

Major consultations

"We were deligthed that you

were able to support our project.

The new sails have just been

installed, and they look

magnificent"

Vigilance of BrixhamPreservation Co. Ltd

9

Top left: HMS AllianceSubmarine

Top right: HMS BroningtonMinesweeper

Bottom left: Kathleen & MayTopsail schooner

Bottom right: PilgrimBrixham trawler

10

Medway Queen The Medway Queen Preservation Trust applied to HLF for a £1.86 million grant towards

restoring the vessel. National Historic Ships was asked to undertake a comprehensive review of the project.

This outcome highlighted the complex and numerous issues that the project raises, particularly around

replication rather than restoration. We were able to help by identifying potential contractors in the UK capable

of undertaking riveting work, which will make it possible for the Trust to review its proposals.

SS Robin The SS Robin Trust applied to HLF for a substantial grant for conservation works and the

installation of a new interpretation scheme. Although recognising the urgency of the conservation work

(accelerated by the programme of the Crossrail project which will ‘lock’ the ship into its current berth for five

years), the Advisory Committee was not convinced that the applicant had scoped the works adequately and

therefore feared that the costs could be considerably underestimated. In line with advice from other sources,

the recommendation was that the application be rejected and the applicant encouraged to re-apply after more

thorough investigative work. We continue to work closely with the SS Robin Trust to strengthen its proposals.

Ross Tiger National Historic Ships recommended to HLF that further conservation planning and project

planning should be undertaken. In discussion, the applicant agreed to withdraw the application and we are

continuing to advise.

HMS Unicorn Funding was provided by National Historic Ships to help the Unicorn Trust hire

professional help to put together an application to HLF for a project planning grant. This application was

successful, and National Historic Ships is contributing a sum of £2,000 towards match funding the £70,000

project which will plan the future conservation of Unicorn and her key role in the regeneration of the Dundee

waterfront. The planning project will look at the business issues around Unicorn and develop the broad

framework for any resulting design brief. We played an instrumental role in opening discussions with Dundee

Council and our wish would be to see both Unicorn and Discovery benefiting from the regeneration. The

Unicorn Trust is expected to make a full grant application to HLF early in 2009, and we continue to give advice

and support to the project.

11

Top left: Medway QueenPaddle steamer

Top right: SS RobinCoastal steamer

Bottom left: Ross TigerTrawler

Bottom right: HMS UnicornSailing frigate

12

Cutty Sark Following the fire onboard the ship in May 2007, the Cutty Sark Trust submitted an application

to HLF for a grant increase to cover the consequential costs. The Committee had reviewed the Trust’s Stage 2

application in 2006 and had not been convinced by the methodologies being applied, particularly that of

suspending the ship. The advice at that time was to defer the decision until a full review had been undertaken.

In the new application, although a number of options were set out, the philosophical approach to conservation

remained the same. While there is no doubting the importance of the ship and the need for an urgent solution,

because there was no change, the Committee felt unable to support the application. Nevertheless, the HLF

decided to allocate an exceptional uplift grant of £10 million.

City of Adelaide National Historic Ships opposed the application by the Scottish Maritime Trust in

February 2006 to demolish City of Adelaide in order to fully investigate all options for saving this composite-built

emigrant clipper – including the possibility of preserving her in sections. Two potential solutions are now

emerging. The Chairman and Director visited a site in Sunderland and there is plainly considerable local

commitment to see the vessel returned to the city in which she was built. Subsequently, the Director visited

Adelaide, South Australia, where again there is sizeable local support to see this significant emigrant ship

preserved. Of course, there are many obstacles to overcome with both proposals but they demonstrate that

our opposition to demolition was the appropriate recommendation at the time. Although we have a preference

to see City of Adelaide remain in the UK, National Historic Ships will give equal support and advice to both

parties, the priority is to save the vessel. However, should neither succeed and no alternative be found, North

Ayrshire Council has adopted our guidelines which will be applied as conditions to any eventual deconstruction.

Mary Rose Prior to submitting a second application to HLF to support a new museum and the

completion of the conservation of the ship and artefacts, the Mary Rose Trust invited National Historic Ships to

join a review group to debate issues of significance and the interpretative approach. On receiving a request from

HLF for comment on a new application, the Advisory Committee responded that this was a much stronger

application with a more clearly developed storyline and recommended that it be supported. The Trust was

subsequently awarded grants (subject to a successful Stage 2 application) totalling £21 million.

13

Top left: Cutty SarkClipper

Top right: City of AdelaideClipper

Bottom: Mary RoseCarrack

Research and publications

14

Understanding Historic Vessels

After wide consultation with stakeholders, the first

two volumes of Understanding Historic Vessels -

Recording Historic Vessels and Deconstructing

Historic Vessels - were made available as

downloads from the website. The third volume, with

the working title The Conservation Pilot Book, has

been scoped and the first draft completed. It will set

out the principles for conservation (acknowledging

previous work such as the Burra Charter) to assist

those responsible for historic vessels in reaching

both a better understanding of, and the most

appropriate solutions for, long-term sustainability.

The guide will be published in Spring 2009 in hard

copy and it is expected to also be available as a

download from the National Historic Ships’ website.

Infrastructure audit

One of the most significant achievements of the year

was the completion of a national audit into facilities,

services and suppliers throughout the UK which can

support the maritime heritage sector. Starting with a

survey of vessel owners, the audit gathered

invaluable feedback from vessel owners about their

needs and requirements, as well as demonstrating

National Historic Ships’ intentions to support them

in this area. It also helped raise the public profile of

National Historic Ships, through the events attended

to gather the information, and brought our name to

the attention of some 2,000 companies with

interests in the sector.

The principal outcome of the audit is a directory of

suppliers, facilities and services, which will go online

in Autumn 2008.

15

Meetings, forums and visits

Committee meetingsThe Advisory Committee met three times this year:

• Belfast, 21st June 2007

• Greenwich, 6th December 2007

• Newcastle, 13th March 2008

Sub-committee meetingsThe Registration and Finance & General Purposes

Sub-committees also met three times each this

year.

Registration:

• Gloucester, 11th June 2007

• Liverpool, 26th September 2007

• Dartmouth, 6th March 2008

Finance & General Purposes:

• Bristol, 1st May 2007

• Greenwich, 16th November 2007

• Bristol, 6th February

ForumsThree forums for vessel owners and stakeholders

in the sector were held:

• Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool 25th

September 2007 (attendance 32)

• Ipswich, 1st November 2007 (onboard the

spritsail barge May—attendance 38)

• Dartmouth Yacht Club, 5th March 2008,

(attendance 34)

The topics for discussion ranged from moorings

for historic vessels, insurance, relationships with

the MCA, training and the intended demise of red

diesel.

Vessel visitsStaff of National Historic Ships visited the following organisations and vessels:

BBllaacckk CCoouunnttrryy LLiivviinngg MMuusseeuumm - Core Collection: Peacock (narrowboat); Designated

Vessel: President (narrowboat); Registered Vessel: Kildare (butty to President). The

following vessels were visiting the Museum at the time - Designated Vessels: Gifford

(tanker), Sharpness (icebreaking tug); Registered Vessels: Enterprise No. 1 (tug),

Pacific (tug).

SSttoouurrbbrriiddggee - Registered Vessels: Amsterdam (narrowboat), Black Countryman

(narrowboat), Bramble (narrowboat – new registration).

TThhee BBooaatt MMuusseeuumm,, EElllleessmmeerree PPoorrtt - Designated Vessels: Basuto (Forth & Clyde

Puffer), FCB 18 (concrete barge), Friendship (wooden horse boat), George (short

boat), Marbury (Shropshire Union wooden ice boat), Merak (butty), Merope

(narrowboat), Perseverance (steam grab dredger); Registered Vessels: Aspull

(Leeds and Liverpool ice boat), Bacup (short boat), Bigmere (steel dumb barge),

Centaur (narrowboat) Chiltern (Josher), Cuddington (Weaver packet), Cedar

(wooden canal float), Mendip (narrowboat), Mossdale (wooden dumb Mersey flat),

Ethel (wooden West Country keel – deconstructed), Speedwell (wooden dumb Wey

barge), Scorpio (wooden long boat), Shad (narrowboat), Worcester (tunnel tug),

Phoebe (day boat), No. 39 (narrowboat), Manchester (Bridgewater steam tug),

Regulus (narrowboat).

LLiivveerrppooooll - Registered Vessel: Cactus (narrowboat).

BBaarrttoonn aanndd LLeeiigghh - Designated Vessel: Pauline (short flyboat); Registered Vessels:

Rudd (narrowboat), Severn (short boat).

KKeenntt - Core Collection: Stormy Petrel (oyster smack); Designated Vessels: Kent

(tug), The King (excursion vessel), LV16 (light vessel).

MMeerrsseeyyssiiddee - Designated Vessels: HMS Bronington (minesweeper), Daniel Adamson

(tug-tender).

16

"Thank you for the invitation to your recent forum. It was a very interesting evening which

will no doubt bear fruit. Thank your team for organising such an invigorating event."

Owners of Sheemaun

EEsssseexx - Core Collection: Maria (fishing smack); Designated Vessels: Ripple (smack

yacht), Pioneer (Essex smack), Thalatta (spritsail barge); Registered Vessel: Edme

(spritsail barge).

WWeesstt CCoouunnttrryy - Core Collection: Kathleen & May (topsail schooner).

GGlloouucceesstteerr DDoocckkss FFeessttiivvaall - Core Collection: Kathleen & May (topsail schooner),

Olga (pilot cutter).

YYoorrkksshhiirree - Yorkshire Inland Waterways Museum, Goole

DDuunnddeeee - Core Collection: HMS Unicorn (frigate); Designated Vessels: North Carr LV.

AAnnsstthhrruutthheerr - Core Collection: Reaper (Fifie), Lively Hope (ring netter); Designated

Vessels: Research (Zulu).

DDaarrttmmoouutthh - Registered Vessel: Voyageur (Looe lugger).

TToolllleessbbuurryy - Designated vessel: Kenya Jacaranda (Brixham trawler).

17

"Thank you for all your help during the past

two years. It’s been really appreciated."

Scarborough Pleasure Steamers

The National Ship Preservation Networkand Centres of Maritime Excellence

The infrastructure audit we commissioned in 2007

confirmed the view that one of the greatest

challenges facing all historic vessels is access to a

support network which can provide the skills and

facilities needed to ensure their long-term future.

The reduction in shipyards in the UK which can

undertake specialist work, the declining number of

apprentices and the lack of awareness of such

training opportunities that are available could

seriously compromise the best conservation

intentions.

Consequently, National Historic Ships has set as

one of its primary priorities the promotion of a

National Ship Preservation Network through which

owners can obtain and exchange information,

complemented with Centres of Maritime Excellence

where there are significant concentrations of skills,

expertise and facilities. Such centres would include

most of the following attributes:

• strategically placed within a region with good

access by water (whether coastal, estuarial or

inland) and by road

• a mix of repair facilities and businesses, ideally

with space for hire for owners wishing to do

their own repairs

• conservation-based businesses with capacity

and skills including the immediate maritime

dimension – such as historic building or

transport conservation

• associations with historic harbours, historic

ships, maritime and industrial museums and

education (particularly universities) and training

organisations, which can provide courses and

facilities to support ongoing training and

research

• support from strategic bodies such as Regional

Development Agencies, Learning and Skills

Councils and tourism bodies.

Centres of Maritime Excellence will take two

basic forms: where there is already an existing

concentration of independent organisations and

facilities, or where facilities have fallen into

minimal or complete disuse but nevertheless are

well located geographically and offer regeneration

opportunities.

Ultimately National Historic Ships seeks to

establish centres in the following regions:

• Northern Ireland

• Scotland

• North East England

• East Anglia

• Thames Gateway

• South Coast of England

• South West England

• West Country/South Wales

• Northwest England

• A specific centre for inland waterways craft

Foundations for the future

18

National Historic Ships will act as champion and

catalyst for the overall network and individual

centres; identifying where such centres might be

developed; initiating discussions between

potential partners; assisting in the creation of

effective websites to market the centres and the

wider support network, along with providing links

to these new sites from our own website; and

advising on funding packages (including grants)

which may be available for skills development

and training. We intend to work with all centres

and relevant training/trade validating bodies to

establish recognised quality standards. National

Historic Ships is also uniquely placed to

campaign within government departments as the

potential for such centres crosses several

departmental boundaries.

Locations for four pilot Centres of Maritime

Excellence have already been identified. Two will

be formally launched in 2008-09.

19Casi Ann Lewis Jones, a recipient of a training grant.

Online servicesWe recognise that the internet has become the

primary tool in communicating key messages and

advice to our diverse audience. A brief is being

developed which sets out the requirements for a

re-vitalised website, which will include the

Directory of Skills and Services generated by the

infrastructure audit and several advisory papers,

including exemplar memoranda of understanding

and articles of association; draft job descriptions

for project directors and board members. There

will also be case studies based on published

information, which demonstrate how different

ships earn their living. These will be developed

into a ten year programme.

The new website is scheduled for re-launch in

Spring 2009.

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk

20Sickle

Ice breaker

Grants and Endowment Fund Although the Strategic Development Fund has

allowed a large number of vessels to undertake

activities or effect repairs they may have

otherwise been unable to do, the overall sum

available in the Fund is modest. National Historic

Ships intends to seek further sums from DCMS

to increase the total Strategic Development Fund

to £100,000 annually.

Nevertheless, even this sum would not cover the

cost of major works on a small vessel. Therefore

we will work with DCMS and other potential

funding partners to establish a National Historic

Fleet Endowment Fund. This fund will be

specifically aimed at long term maintenance and

sustainability for the National Historic Fleet of

Core Collection and Designated Vessels.

Board BankIdentifying suitable board members is a difficulty

faced by many trusts. To assist, National Historic

Ships will establish a ‘Board Bank’ – a register of

willing individuals with skills and expertise that

could benefit such organisations.

Awards schemeThe Strategic Development Fund has proved an

enormous success with over £76,000 being

distributed this year. The next stage will be to

develop an awards scheme for best practice in

ship conservation.

Development of the National Register of Historic Vessels

The criteria for inclusion on the Register will

continue to be reviewed. It has now been agreed

that vessels built abroad between 1939 and

1945 to support the UK war effort are eligible for

inclusion on the Register.

Currently, all vessels must be more than 40 feet

to be on the Register. The National Small Boat

Register (NSBR), developed by the National

Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC), has an

upper length limit of 35 feet, so there is clearly

the potential for an important vessel to fall

between the two registers. National Historic

Ships is working closely with NMMC to ensure

complementarity between the two registers and

to work towards the inclusion of small vessels

from the NSBR which meet the NRHV criteria

(excepting length, of course) into the National

Historic Fleet. 21

Fifty-nine historic vessels were added to

the National Register of Historic Vessels

during the financial year 2007-08:

ASRP1218 (pinnace)

Atlas (narrowboat)

Avon (RASC fast launch)

Banstead (narrowboat)

Bellatrix (narrowboat)

Billy Bray (Looe lugger)

Britannia (tug)

Capricorn (narrowboat)

Concretian (concrete barge)

Dove (narrowboat)

Dredger 101 (dredger)

Edme (spritsail barge)

FMC 138 (Joey)

Fountain (water-carrying barge)

George Haig (rescue motor launch)

Glad Tidings (drifter)

Gwenna (yacht)22

The RegistersMFV 74

Heather Bell (narrowboat)

Henry Frederick Swan (lifeboat)

Hunt’s Kim (Sheffield keel)

Hyperion (launch)

Ilkeston (narrowboat)

Johan (ring netter)

Jubilee (narrowboat)

Juno (narrowboat)

Leo (butty boat)

Lyonesse (lugger)

Malus (narrowboat)

MFV 74 (motor fishing vessel)

Mindsweeper (minesweeper)

Nansen II (narrowboat)

Nerissa (yacht)

SS Nomadic (ferry/tender)

Nutfield (narrowboat)

Nuthatch (motor launch)

Orianne (narrowboat)

Parbold (Leeds & Liverpool canal

longboat)

Penros (RNLI lifeboat)

Perseverance IV (barge)

Phoenix (rescue target towing launch)

Phyllis (Humber sloop)

Saturn (Shropshire Union flyboat)

Scorpio (narrowboat)

Sculptor (narrowboat)

Sickle (narrowboat)

Skylark (narrowboat)

Southcliffe (Humber keel)

Spey (motor canal boat tanker)

Spitfire (canal tug)

St Just (MFV)

St Vincent (zulu)

Stanton (narrowboat)

Syntan (inland water craft)

The Floss (barge)

TSR (Harbour Defence Motor Launch)

Usk (narrow beam tar boat)

Valeur (landing craft)

Varlet (tug)

Voyageur (Looe lugger)

Golden Galleon (Fairmile ‘B’) on the

DV list was scrapped (after recording

by National Historic Ships).

SS Nomadic was added to the Core

Collection; Spider T (Humber sloop)

and Glala (ex-Mahalia, motor yacht)

were both added to the DV list.

Vessels at Risk ListThere are a great many vessels under

threat of one sort or another, but

amongst these, there are several about

which the Advisory Committee has

particular concerns. The Committee is

taking advice on the best way of

monitoring vessels that face an

uncertain future.

National Archive ofHistoric VesselsNational Historic Ships is establishing

this archive, in the first instance as a

repository of information for vessels

which have been lost or broken up,

but eventually the intention will be to

hold detailed information on all the

National Historic Fleet. Golden

Galleon which was recorded prior to

her demolition was the first entry in

the Archive.

23

"I would like to express my thanks to the committee

for their decision to support us in our project"

Owner of 2561 Blue Leader

2007-08 2006-07£ £

Income

DCMS 177,000 170,000

Surplus funds carried forward 45,711 31,454

Total income 222,711 201,454

Expenditure

Service delivery

Staff costs (108,939) (86,341)

Pensions (2,112) (3,618)

NIC (9,985) (8,967)

Protective clothing (775) (1,852)

Total service delivery (121,811) (100,778)

Information, communications & technology

IT maintenance 0 (3,600)

Computer hardware 0 (210)

Office machinery (3,502) (530)

Stationary (3,431) (1,430)

Post & packaging (514) (830)

Telephones (42) (1,570)

Total ICT (7,489) (8,170)

24

Income and expenditure accounts

25

2007-08 2006-07£ £

Marketing

Trade shows (53) (280)

Room hire (52) (550)

Printing (21,323) 0

Subscriptions (56) 0

Total marketing (21,484) (830)

Utilities recharge (12,621) 0

Professional fees & finance sundry

Consultancy (24,018) (31,960)

Insurance (866) (880)

Total professional & finance sundry (24,884) (32,840)

Committee outreach

Hospitality (4,821) (1,450)

Travel (20,742) (8,100)

Accommodation (8,084) (3,250)

Subsistence (686) (325)

Total committee outreach (34,333) (13,125)

Total expenditure (222,622) (155,743)

Funds to carry forward 89 45,711

Note: Travel, printing and utilities are all significantly higher than in the previous

year, but it should be borne in mind that during 2006-07, National Historic Ships

was establishing itself, and therefore was not fully operational for the entire year.

Work on Spirit of Britannia, undertaken by Trinity Sailing Trust

Expenditure by category as a percentage of income

26

55% 50%

7%

16%

<1%

0%

4%

23%

15%

11%

10%

6%

3%

<1%Carry forward

ICT

Service delivery

Committee outreach

Prof. fees & finance sundries

Marketing

Recharges

2007-08 2006-07

27

Deploying our resources

The Advisory Committee gives its time on a voluntary basis and is supported by a professional team of four

– the Director, the Office Manager, a Case Officer and an Administrative Assistant, as well as two

part-time volunteers. This team concentrates primarily on:

• strategic issues and policy

• case work on individual vessels

• advice to vessel owners and official bodies

• development and maintenance of the National Register of Historic Vessels, including the assessment of

new registrations

• administration of the Strategic Development Fund.

National Historic Ships also engages consultants to assist with aspects of its work and provide specialist

knowledge, particularly to supply guidance for historic vessel owners. During the period covered by this

Annual Report, work commissioned from consultants has included:

• drafting Understanding Historic Vessels - Recording Historic Vessels and

Deconstructing Historic Vessels

• research into skills and services for an online directory

• revision of vessel histories

• development of a brief for an improved website

• researching and drafting the Conservation Pilot Book

28

The Advisory Committee on National Historic Ships

(ACNHS) was set up by the Department of Culture

Media and Sport (DCMS) in July 2006. Its remit

covers the whole of the United Kingdom with

members nominated from the devolved

administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and

Wales. Staff are based in Greenwich with the director

also working from his office in Bristol. The Committee

would like to record its appreciation of the support

received from the National Maritime Museum, which

provides office accommodation in Greenwich, finance

management support, Human Resources and IT

services through a Service Level Agreement.

The Committee’s terms of reference are:

• to act as the primary source of advice to the

Secretary of State on national historic ship

preservation and funding priorities

• to act as a source of advice to the Heritage Lottery

Fund on preservation priorities and individual

applications it receives to fund historic ships, and

to other public funding bodies

• to provide the leadership and strategic vision

across the national historic ships’ community and

wider maritime sector by acting as a focus for

advice on aspects of the preservation of historic

vessels

The Committee does not advise on issues relating to

historic wrecks, which fall within the remit of the

Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites.

In order to fulfil this remit, the Committee aims to:

• encourage an awareness and understanding of the

through-life costs of restoring and maintaining

historic vessels

• raise awareness among trusts and owners about

good practice and fund-raising opportunities

• provide guidance to trusts and owners about

business planning, interpretation and educational

programmes, to make ships become more self-

sustaining and attractive to new audiences

Appendix A:

The remit, targets and priorities of National Historic Ships

• develop and promote professional standards of

good practice for the conservation and restoration

of historic vessels

• promote the availability and standard of ship and

boat conservation skills and training, and sharing of

experience and expertise across the sector

• encourage better awareness of the importance of

skills to enable preservation, and promote

opportunities for people to develop and maintain

traditional ship building and repairing skills

• liaise with universities and others in the UK and

abroad on the development of innovative

techniques for the conservation of historic vessels,

and facilitate access to independent peer review of

conservation techniques

• advise on documentation and recording techniques in

cases where vessels are beyond physical and

economic preservation

• promote greater awareness of historic ship

conservation and its benefits within government

and to other organisations

• monitor the state of the UK’s historic vessels and

evaluate the impact of current funding and policies.

The Committee also has responsibility for the National

Register of Historic Vessels and the development and

monitoring of an ‘At Risk’ Register. This provides an

authoritative database of the historic fleet, enabling

the Committee to fulfil its terms of reference.

In addition, the Committee makes recommendations

to DCMS on the use of a revenue challenge fund by

third parties to support activities relating to the

preservation of historic vessels.

29

AppendixB:

Members of the Committee and staff

30

The Advisory Committee

Dr Robert Prescott (chairman) - formerly director of the

Scottish Institute of Maritime Studies, University of St Andrews

and an active crew member of the Fifie Reaper

Roger Hanbury - chief executive of the Waterways Trust, Rogeris responsible for the museums, sites and vessels in Gloucester

Docks, Ellesmere Port and Stoke Bruerne

David Jenkins (co-opted) - senior curator of the industrial

and maritime collections of Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum

of Wales)

John Kearon - master shipwright, formerly head of Maritime,Industrial & Transport Technology Conservation at the National

Museums on Merseyside

Dr Campbell McMurray OBE - formerly director of the

Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine, and the Royal Naval Museum,

Portsmouth

Sean Neeson (co-opted) - member of the Board of Trustees of

the National Museums of Northern Ireland and an elected

member of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Captain David Newberry - formerly chief executive of theWarrior Preservation Trust

Tim Parr - Tim served an apprenticeship as a shipwright andmarine engineer at Vosper Ltd and is a qualified naval architect.

He also works as a consultant for the Heritage Lottery Fund.

John Robinson - member of the executive committee of

European Maritime Heritage and an adviser to the World Ship

Trust

31

Jane Ryder (co-opted) - solicitor and formerly director of the

Scottish Museums Council

Matthew Tanner MBE - director of the ss Great

Britain Trust

Captain Simon Waite - formerly master of Cutty Sark andsuperintendent of ships for the Maritime Trust

Co-opted for Registration Sub-committee

Sophie Fowler - collections officer, The Waterways Trust

Captain George Hogg - one of the founding trustees of theNational Maritime Museum and initiator of the National Small

Boat Register.

Staff, external advisors and volunteers

Martyn Heighton director and secretary to the Advisory

Committee - former director of Merseyside Maritime Museum,

Bristol Leisure Services, chief executive of the Mary Rose Trust

and National Trust territory director for Western England & Wales.

A member of the HLF Expert Panel

Paula Palmer office manager - member of the staff of the

National Maritime Museum on secondment; formerly co-ordinator

for the National Historic Ships Committee

Simon Stephens case officer - curator of ship models at the

National Maritime Museum, on secondment; formerly case officer

for the National Historic Ships Committee

Petrunka Pancheva administrator - formerly an administrator

with a software company in Bulgaria, then a volunteer

membership assistant at the National Maritime Museum

Ron Ellis volunteer - formerly member of HM Customs

& Excise

Roy Marsden volunteer - Russian linguist and formerly

airports inspector

Hannah Cunliffe consultant - freelance maritime researcher

Dr Eric Kentley consultant - formerly curator at the

National Maritime Museum, now a freelance museum and

exhibition consultant

Dorothy Mellor IT consultant - database specialist formerly

with IBM

Jim O’Donnell web consultant - senior web developer at

the National Maritime Museum

Harvey Edser web consultant - web editor at the National

Maritime Museum

Sub-committee

Finance & General Purposes Sub-committee

Dr Robert Prescott (chairman) Roger Hanbury

Campbell McMurray David Newberry

Matthew Tanner Martyn Heighton

Paula Palmer (ex-officio)

Registration Sub-committee

John Robinson (chairman) John Kearon

Tim Parr Simon Waite

George Hogg (co-opted) Sophie Fowler ( co-opted)

Robert Prescott (ex-officio) Martyn Heighton (ex-officio)

32

AppendixB:

Volunteers and consultants

33

The National Historic Fleet comprises the vessels of the Core Collection (vessels of national significance

across the United Kingdom) and the Designated Vessel List (vessels of outstanding regional significance)

Core Collection Name of Vessel Location TypeAlfred Corry Southwold Norfolk and Suffolk Class lifeboat

HMS Alliance Gosport A Class submarine

HMS Belfast Thames Southampton Class cruiser

Bertha Eyemouth Dragboat

Branksome Windermere Saloon launch

RY Britannia Leith Royal yacht/hospital ship

Cabby Maylandsea Spritsail barge

Calshot Southampton Tender

HMS Caroline Belfast Light cruiser

Challenge Bristol Tug

City of Adelaide Irvine Clipper

CMB 4 Duxford Motor torpedo boat

Comrade South Ferriby Humber keel

Corrie Gosport Fife yacht

Cutty Sark Greenwich Clipper

RRS Discovery Dundee Polar research ship

Edmund Gardner Liverpool Pilot cutter34

AppendixC:

The National Historic Fleet

Name of Vessel Location TypeExcellent Penzance Drifter

Excelsior Lowestoft Lowestoft sailing smack

HMS Gannet Chatham Sloop

Glenlee Glasgow Barque

ss Great Britain Bristol Passenger sail/steamship

Holland 1 Portsmouth Holland Class submarine

HSL 102 Lymington High speed launch

Jesse Lumb Duxford Watson Class lifeboat

John H Amos Chatham Paddle tug

Kathleen & May Bideford Topsail schooner

Kindly Light Gweek Pilot cutter

Kingswear Castle Chatham Paddle steamer

Landfall Birkenhead Landing craft tank

Lively Hope Anstruther Ring-netter

LV91 Swansea Lightship

Lydia Eva Lowestoft Drifter

M33 Portsmouth Monitor

Maria Maylandsea Fishing smack

Mary Rose Portsmouth Carrack

Mayflower Bristol Tug

HMS Medusa Southampton Harbour defence motor launch

Mirosa Faversham Stack barge

35

M33

Monitor

Name of Vessel Location TypeMTB102 Lowestoft Motor torpedo boat

SS Nomadic Belfast Tender

Olga Swansea Pilot cutter

Peacock Dudley Commercial narrowboat

Peggy Castletown Yacht

Prince Frederick’s barge Greenwich State barge

Pyronaut Bristol Fire float

Reaper Anstruther Fifie

Result Co. Down Topsail schooner

SS Robin West India Dock Coastal steamer

Sabrina Maidenhead Inspection launch

Shieldhall Southampton Sewage dumping vessel

Stormy Petrel Gillingham Oyster smack

T3 Yeovilton Seaplane lighter

HMS Trincomalee Hartlepool Sailing frigate

Turbinia Newcastle Experimental craft

HMS Unicorn Dundee Sailing frigate

HMS Victory Portsmouth Ship of the line

HMS Warrior Portsmouth Iron clad

Waverley Clyde, Glasgow Excursion paddle steamer

HMS Vigilant Faversham Customs cruiser

Zetland Redcar Lifeboat

36

The National Historic Fleet cont’d

Designated Vessels -

Name of Vessel Location Type199 - Naval Pinnace Portsmouth Service launch

ADC St Osyth Sailing oyster dredger

Advance (VIC 24) Plymouth Victualling inshore craft

Alaska Reading River launch

Albion Ludham Norfolk wherry

Amy Howson South Ferriby Humber sloop

B.A.S.P. Chatham Lifeboat

Balmoral Glasgow Excursion vessel

Barcadale Burnt Island Drifter

Basuto Ellesmere Port Steam lighter

Boy Peter Peel Trawler

HMS Bronington Birkenhead Ton Class minesweeper

Bruce’s Limekilns Drifter

Cambria Sittingbourne Spritsail barge

Carola Irvine Steam yacht

HMS Cavalier Chatham Dockyard CA Class destroyer

Centaur Maldon Spritsail barge

Cervia Ramsgate Tug

37

Trincomalee

Sailing frigate

Name of Vessel Location TypeConcrete Canal Boat Gloucester Barge

Consuta Henley Umpires’ launch

Coronia Scarborough Excursion vessel

Daniel Adamson Liverpool Tug-tender

Dolly Windermere Steam launch

Doris Gillingham Bawley

Duessa Clacton Motor yacht

Elswick II South Shields Dumb lighter

Esperance Windermere Saloon launch

Esther Grimsby Grimsby fishing smack

Eva Henley Saloon launch

FCB 18 Ellesmere Port Ammunition lighter

FCB 52 Gloucester Dumb lighter

Feasible Penzance Steam drifter

Friendship Ellesmere Port Narrowboat

Garlandstone Morwellham Quay Ketch

George Ellesmere Port Leeds & Liverpool short boat

Gifford Ellesmere Port Narrowboat

Gladys Maldon Spritsail barge

Glala Ipswich Motor yacht

Gleaners Lochoilhead Trawler

Golden Vanity Brixham Brixham trawler

38

The National Historic Fleet cont’d

Name of Vessel Location TypeGovernor Birmingham Narrowboat

Grab No. 1 Blyth Grab dredger

Greta Faversham Spritsail barge

Gularis Hull Motor yacht

Gypsy Race Bridlington Grab dredger

H.Y. Tyne Blyth Watson Class lifeboat

Harriet Fleetwood Fishing smack

Hathor Wroxham Norfolk wherry yacht

Hen Liverpool Dumb lighter

Herbert Leigh Barrow-in-Furness Watson Class lifeboat

HF Bailey Cromer Watson Class lifeboat

HSL 376 Chatham Naval Harbour launch

Humber Norwich Admiralty launch

Hurlingham London Thames excursion steamer

Ironsides Faversham Spritsail barge

Isabella Fortuna Wick Fifie

James Stevens no. 14 Walton-on-the-Naze Norfolk and Suffolk Class lifeboat

Janet Windermere Naval pinnace

John Adams Bideford Naval pinnace

John Constable Sudbury Horse-drawn lighter

Kent Chatham Tug

Kenya Jacaranda Tilbury Brixham trawler

39

Dolly foreground and Raven,

Steam launch and Steam barge

Name of Vessel Location TypeKerne Liverpool Tug

Kingfisher Yardley Gobion Saloon launch

Kyles Irvine Steam coaster

Lady Daphne St Katharine’s Dock Spritsail barge

Lady of the Lake Ullswater Excursion vessel

Lamouette Ramsgate Naval pinnace

Largo Law Charlestown Fife Pilot cutter

Leader Brixham Brixham trawler

LV12 Kingston upon Hull Lightship

LV16 Borstal Lightship

Lynher Cremyll Tamar barge

Maid of the Loch Balloch Loch Lomond Paddle steamer

Maidie Wroxham Broads yacht

Manxman Sunderland Short sea ferry

Marbury Ellesmere Port Canal ice breaker

Mary Joseph Belfast Fishing lugger

Mascotte Gloucester Pilot cutter

Massey Shaw Woolwich Fireboat

Maud Upton Dyke Norfolk wherry

May Ipswich Spritsail barge

Medway Queen Kingsnorth Paddle steamer

Merak Ellesmere Port Narrowboat

40

The National Historic Fleet cont’d

Name of Vessel Location TypeMerope Ellesmere Port Narrowboat

MGB 81 Bucklers Hard Motor gunboat

My Alice Maldon Smack

Navigator Dartmouth Admiralty MFV

Nell Dover Yacht

North Carr Dundee Lightship

Olive Wroxham Norfolk wherry yacht

Our Boys Cowes Cornish lugger

Panurgic Appledore Hopper barge

Pauline Leigh West Country keel

Penelee Oban Yacht

Perseverance Ellesmere Port Grab dredger

Pilgrim Cremyll Brixham trawler

Pioneer Hayle Long liner

Portwey W India Dock Tug

President Dudley Narrowboat

HMS President London Flower class escort vessel

Primrose Hastings Rye sailing barge

Provident Brixham Brixham trawler

Queen Mary’s Shallop Greenwich Shallop

Queen of the Lake Windermere Launch

Ratho Princess Ratho Excursion vessel

41

Gifford

Horse boat

Name of Vessel Location TypeRaven Ullswater Steam barge

Raven Windermere Excursion vessel

Regal Lady Scarborough Excursion vessel

Reminder Maldon Smack yacht

Research Anstruther Zulu

Ripple Tollesbury Smack yacht

Rona Lymington Yacht

Ryde River Medina Paddle steamer

Sabrina 5 Gloucester Barge

Sallie Maldon Oyster smack

Seagull 2 Chatham Spritsail barge

Severn Progress Gloucester Tug

Shamrock Windermere Saloon launch

Sharpness Trent & Mersey Canal Tug

Sir Walter Scott Stirling Excursion steamer

Solace Wroxham Norfolk wherry

Souvenir D’Antan Windermere Saloon launch

Spartan Irvine Victualling inshore craft

Spider T North Lincolnshire Humber sloop

ST 1500 Dumbarton Seaplane tender

Sundowner Ramsgate Naval pinnace

Swan Lerwick Fifie

42

The National Historic Fleet cont’d

Name of Vessel Location TypeSwan Windermere Excursion vessel

Tahilla Southampton Cruise boat

Teal Windermere Excursion vessel

Telegraph Maldon Boston smack

Tern Windermere Excursion vessel

Thalatta Maldon Spritsail barge

Thalia Chichester Cutter yacht

Thames Esperanza Henley Saloon launch

The Flying Fox Stratford Saloon launch

The King Borstal Excursion vessel

Thomas Port Talbot Tug

TID 164 Chatham Tug

Trimilia Woodbridge Ramsgate class lifeboat

VIC 32 Crinan Ferry Victualling inshore craft

VIC 96 Maryport Victualling inshore craft

Vigilance Brixham Brixham trawler

Violette Hoo Coastal schooner

Waterlily Falmouth Saloon launch

HQS Wellington London Sloop

Western Lady III Torbay Fairmile B motor launch

White Heather Woking Canal tug

Willdora Sunderland Trawler

43

Vigilance

Brixham trawler

Name of Vessel Location TypeWilliam Gammon Swansea Watson Class lifeboat

Wincham Liverpool Weaver packet

Wingfield Castle Hartlepool Paddle ferry

Xylonite Maldon Spritsail barge

In addition to the National Historic Fleet, The National Register of Historic Vessels also includes

823 registered vessels and a further 300 vessels which have moved abroad, been deconstructed,

broken up, sunk or do not meet the criteria.

44

The National Historic Fleet cont’d