The Ship Model Forum

Colin has started receiving emails, keep em comming lads and lasses.
Thanks very much.
Paul...

The abject greed of local councils does not surprise me in this consumer driven world that we live in, however all may not be lost. When you consider the location of the historic warships at Birkenhead. Little over a mile away is probably one of the most prestigious maritime museums in the world, certainly one that has the potential to provide a long term home for these historic ships in a tourist friendly environment. Visitors must agree that getting to the present location isnt easy wheras getting to the Albert dock is so much easier. Exposure would be greater, the surrounding attractive and I suspect the ships themselves welcomed, it just takes someone with imagination to drive it forward. I posted on the old site that work is under way to bring HMS Whimbrel "home to Liverpool to display her as the centre piece of a memorial to the cities premier role in the Battle of the Atlantic. What could be better than increasing the display to those ships currently over the water. With the city becoming European Capital of Culture in 2008 its an opportunity made in heaven, and one which would see Liverpool eclipse Portsmouth's claim to be the country's maritime centre, If nothing is done we wiill only kick ourselves when they are gone, Maritime Heritage is important to an island nation and Liverpool was once the first port of the empire and commonwealth.

Thats the soap box put away now

Chippy

What a brilliant set up that would be if it was possible. I have been around the new Albert Dock and it is an ideal place to display part of our Maritime Heritage.
Is this at all possible, or is it just a suggestion?

_________________
Presently Building - Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Victorious 1/96

Under Construction Laid Up - H.M.S. Marlborough 1/96

I have learned of something to day that could be a life line to the stricken warships . I have informed those concerned of the situation but it remains very much dependent on the will of those with the power to save these vessel. It involves the dock at twelve keys which was supposedly sealed off from the rest of the dock system and a one time contender as a home for the Historic Warships.
Dave Wooley

Let's just keep our fingers crossed Dave, that a move such as this will be possible.

_________________
Presently Building - Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Victorious 1/96

Under Construction Laid Up - H.M.S. Marlborough 1/96

The BBC Merseyside news item has been updated to reflect recent announcements -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/mers ... 625102.stm

It seems odd that the City of Plymouth - who evicted HMS Plymouth a few years ago, may well end up with her.

No other news about the all-important U Boat though.

Dave(Shipbuilder)

I'm sure that now it's in the public eye, something will get done to save all of them, even if they have to be split up. I'd like to see the German U-Boat stay in Birkenhead of Liverpool, maybe actually restored to it's former glory and placed under cover.
Failing that, the next best place for it, would be the Royal Navy Submarine Museum at Gosport.

_________________
Presently Building - Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Victorious 1/96

Under Construction Laid Up - H.M.S. Marlborough 1/96

It seems that to those of us who live in the North or Midlands, that the likes of Portsmouth/Chatham/Port of London already have more than their fair share of maritime attractions.

It would be highly unlikely that I would bother with the grief and expense of travelling south to visit these vessels if they were relocated there.

I'll grant you that anywhere is better than under the scrapman's torch, but Liverpool, as has already been stated, has a rich maritime heritage, and deserves to keep these ships in my view, however impractical it may initially seem!

Bring on HMS Whimbrel and we'd have a great collection up here.

What about all that National Lottery funding eh?

Dave(Warshipbuilder)

Dave, I quite agree with you. They deserve to stay on the Mersey. Liverpool played an important role during WW2 and I can even remember as a lad in the 50s, that there were a few minesweepers, still based there. I only suggested that the U-Boat would at least be in good hands at the Submarine Museum, but I would like to see it either in Birkenhead or Liverpool, preferably restored, instead of just a rusting damaged vessel. Left outside as it is now in that condition, won't take long, before it starts dropping apart. It need really to be under cover.

_________________
Presently Building - Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Victorious 1/96

Under Construction Laid Up - H.M.S. Marlborough 1/96

What about all that National Lottery funding eh?

Thats only for good causes, like illegals comming in the country,

_________________
Simple but effective.

Yep, or John Prescott's pie fund

Dave(Shipbuilder)

Or THE GUINNY PIG FARM IN ARGENTINA, they give £500,000 to that, ARH

_________________
Simple but effective.

latest news on this now is that the council are going to "consider" any possible way out on the 25th of January, they are not leaving us much time are they?
There has been mention of two other locations on the Birkenhead side, but they are going to cost many$$££s to turn them into a good enough site for the ships. The ships need power, water supplies etc, parking all sorts of licences, you name it so that will probably put them off, but we will see. We are hoping for the best. meanwhile if anyone wants to visit the ships wich may be for the last time, I'd do it this weekend or next weekend as it is possible that the next time any one see's them it may be in the form of a girder in a new tower block.

I hope to visit again weekend 27th/28th/ I want to get some photos and get my wife to take one of me by the U-Boat.
I think that unless big money is forth coming from someone or somewhere, we are clutching at straws. It's a dam shame really, but that's what it boils down to. Private Enterprize's such as The Historic Warship Trust, rely on money from benefactors, donations and members of the public who come to visit. Council's and Government, won't contribute in such schemes, however important they may be to those that are interested.

_________________
Presently Building - Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Victorious 1/96

Under Construction Laid Up - H.M.S. Marlborough 1/96

the latest I have heard from a pretty reliable source is that this has started WW3 at the council offices, I will let everyone know what happens, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I hope they take a lot of heat, they truly deserve it!

Keep us posted!

Jorit

_________________

thanks for your post Jorrit, please feel free to email Colin, one of the managers with your support.
THAT GOES FOR ANYONE ELSE TOO.

colinbutt9@aol.com

Thanks in advance to anyone who will do this, we need as many people on our side as we can get.

I've emailed Colin to add my name of support if its much help!

Thanks Lozza, we need more people like you, email is free, I hope every one who reads this board would send at least one email to Colin.

Colinbutt9@aol.com and add their voice in support, so far the response from this board email wise could do better how many thousand members are there on this site?

DON'T forget guys, you can not make a model of anything that does not exist anymore if you need detail pictures and info while it still exists unless you all guess, I read alot of your posts.

For the second biggest collection in the UK, outside Portsmouth, so far support needs bolstering.

Best regards, Paul...

Just sent an email as well - I keep fingers crossed!

Jorit

_________________