Boat Building Skills

[John Arton]

Yesterday it was announced that the Government was to use Lottery money to train 400 apprentices in the art of traditional boat building and repair in order to maintain "Britain's rich maritime history". Nice but pity this and previous government's never thought of our Maritime history years ago and do something to ensure we still had a viable M.N.
rgds
JA

[George]

Very true John.The sad thing is what happens if we need to suddenly start building ships again, as most of the shipyards are gone along with most of the skills, and of the seamen to work them.
George
in Southampton

[John Pruden]

are they teaching Korean first? all the big ship yards are closed to late now.jp

[robpage]

ortsmouth Naval Base Property Trust (PNBPT) has received initial support* for a £3.9m bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its Boatbuilding and Heritage Skills Training Centre project, it was announced today.

The project aims to ensure the ongoing preservation of traditional boatbuilding skills through the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Traditional Boatbuilding within Boathouse 4, an important building in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Development funding of £240,800 has also been awarded to help PNBPT progress its plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.

Boathouse 4, an iconic building within the Historic Dockyard constructed during the massive 1930’s rearmament period, will be restored and opened to the public as the Boatbuilding & Heritage Skills Training Centre. Visitors will be able to watch traditional boatbuilding in action as well as enjoy fun, tactile and engaging exhibitions on the building and the fascinating story of small boats in the British Navy, including the display of several small craft from the Trust’s own collection. The centre, based in the very boathouse used during World War 2 to construct the secret three man midget X-Craft submarine, will be the perfect setting for visitors to discover the astonishing history of small boats in the Navy, from Captain Bligh cast off the Bounty in a 23ft launch to the Cockleshell Heroes in their canoes.

The centre will house a traditional boatbuilding academy and will also offer many opportunities for people to get involved with our maritime heritage, including short courses and family weekend programmes, sessions with local schools and a volunteering scheme. Therefore, as well as securing the future of Boathouse 4, this project will help to create the next generation of craftsmen to preserve iconic ships such as HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. Graduates will leave the academy with valuable carpentry and engineering skills, enabling them to develop careers in the broader heritage and marine sectors.

This is Shipwrights work in wood , not platers and welders , so sadly not shipbuilding , that died before 1970 , It committed suicide with outdated practices and intransigence on behalf of the Unions

[Tony Wilding]

would be nice if it happens, too many traditional trades have been lost.