MAY 2014 ISSUE
This month we have news of several historic ships being saved or scrapped. On the plus side is news that plans to reactivate the classic motor vessel Balmoral, which has been laid up in Bristol for many years, seem to be coming to fruition. As with all such projects, funding is very tight, and the Balmoral Strategy Group, which is managing the project, are appealing for support. Already £50,000 has been raised, but a further £30,000 is needed, and any donations could be a financial lifeline to ensure that Balmoral sails again. To make a contribution, go to www.mvbalmoral.org.uk.
More good news comes from the north-west, where work on the tug Daniel Adamson continues to progress in Liverpool. The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society held a VIP open day in February to publicise its bid for a major lottery grant to restore the historic steam tug tender ten years after saving the ship from the scrapyard and forming the Society.
Over in Ireland there is good and bad news. On the positive side is funding being made available for the restoration of HMS Caroline in Belfast, but in Dublin it appears the old Aran Island passenger vessel Naom Éanna could be scrapped. As ever, the key to the success of all these projects is the raising of money.
And finally, from America came the sad news of the death of well-known ship photographer Andrew Kilk, aged 73. Andy’s images graced many cruise- and ship-related publications, and he will be greatly missed by family, friends and fellow shiplovers around the world. We have a selection of his photos in this issue, covering some classic cruise liners on which he travelled.
Editor