PRESERVED SHIPS

[Tony Wilding]

The Liberty Ship Hellas Liberty, ex Arthur M Huddell, restored and preserved by Greece at Pireaus. was granted free moorings for the Ship. would be nice if a few UK Ports did the same, most Ports have space that is never used, but they are only interested in Port Dues.i think many more Ships would be saved if this was available here.

[Captain Kong]

In Britain they would say, "What is a Ship"??????
.
When we were campaigning for Merchant Navy Day , I went into Bolton Town Hall to ask them to fly the Red Ensign over it on MN Day.
The Mayor said to me .
"What is A Merchant Navy"??
.
. I was talking to a 40 odd year old man the other day and when I mentioned I was in the Merchant Navy, he had not a clue to what I was talking about, `What is merchant navy, is it that one that has guns on it.?`
Shore people are thick about our great History. and that is what it is today , just history. No one cares.
We were the last of the Seafarers.
Brian.

[Tony Geeves]

A good idea, Tony. There is a an ex Empre ship preserved in Kaliningrad, the Empire Forth, part of the Museam of the Oceans, beautifully looked after. My old drinking mate was a steward on her, after she was taken from the defeated Germans. I would love to see what you propose taken up. Regards, T.G.

[Tony Wilding]

Its true what you say, i have had conversations about my work, was very suprised when the response was, Is that the Royal Navy,? problem is modern History is not taught in Schools, it never as when i went to School, had no ideas what happened after the Plague and Great Fire of London, so i taught myself. as far as Schools are concerned the Great War and Second World War never happened.

[Tony Wilding]

Re post 3*, thats nice to know, never knew any Empire Ships were preserved, its very sad we never did the same, USA has done very well, not only preserved, but up and running Liberties and Victories.

[Captain Kong]

There are many preserved ships in the US.
The QUEEN MARY in Long Beach, a beautiful well preserved hotel ship now, well worth a visit to stay on board.
In UK she would have been scrapped.
The SAMS, Jerimiah O`Brien in SanFranscisco, John W Brown in Chesapeake Bay,
The Victories,.... Lane Victory, American Victory and some others. in Tampa and San Pedro and many others
The four masted PENNANG and Wavertree ex British in South Street in New York, In San Francisco a few more sailinng ships and in San Diego as well and all around the US coast all preserved, in Hawaii too, more British sailing ships preserved. Also manu US Warships, Carriers and Battle ships. The list is endless.

They seem to take pride in their seafaring heritage,
Brian

[Jim Brady]

There is an RN ship in Egypt going to rust,I think it is the last of its class, there is a group of enthusiast's here on Merseyside trying to raise the money to bring it back here.I think originally it was going cheap but once the Egyptians seen the interest in it they upped the ante. You will most probably find this on google.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Tony Wilding]

this is the one in Kalingrad Russia, ex Empire Forth, an ex German ship captured after the War now called Vityaz.Vityaz-04.jpg

[Ivan Cloherty]

this is the one in Kalingrad Russia, ex Empire Forth, an ex German ship captured after the War now called Vityaz.Vityaz-04.jpg

Nice photo Tony, but not the type of 'Empire' ship I was thinking about, but never the less something is being preserved. Doesn't it make you weep that as an island nation our government and populace cannot see the importance of both our heritage and present maritime industry; yet non-island countries can preserve their own and others maritime heritage.

Many a time I have been asked if my Red Ensign was the British Communist Party flag because it was red (printing my answer would get me banned) and also 'where's the footy match mate' when I fly St Georges flag on his specific day, fortunately they had no idea of what 'ignoramus bastardo' meant.

Alas it is all nothing new, even in WWII when my father wore his silver MN badge a lot of people thought it meant 'Male Nurse'

[Don Rafferty]

Back in the 80's, maybe 90's, St Katherines Dock, where many of us did our Lifeboat Ticket, was offering reduced mooring fees to any vessel of 'special significance or historical interest', not sure if they still do. Not big enough for some of the vessels we're talking about.