Sorry Richard, but the Ryde is a total no hoper. I have been watching her deteriorate for years and she is now just a heap of scrap iron as these pics taken in October show. All her plates are eaten through with corrosion and the people who think she can be saved are simply deluding themselves. it would be easier and cheaper to buy a set of the original plans from the National Maritime Museum and build a new ship which effectively what is being done with the Medway Queen. It's a shame as I can remember sailing on her on a number of occasions. She passed the point of no return many years ago although it might just still be possible to save her engines.
The conservation group are also totally unrealistic in suggesting that she be returned to service in the Solent. The Waverley is only just clinging on by the skin of her teeth financially and she has the whole of the UK to draw upon. To suggest that the Solect area communities could support a restored Ryde is just living in cloud cockoo land. The Southsea would have been a more viable option but there was no local support for her either.
Anyway, I recently heard that demolition has already begun.
Colin