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[TheLongBuild]

I think this news article gets brought up every couple of years and I can see it never happening but..


Duke of Lancaster cruise ship to be restored to its former glory (msn.com)

[6705russell]

Sea view?  Not sure you can get a sea view from where it sits? More of an estuary view I would think..


Some video footage I did a couple of years ago:


https://youtu.be/tVZDrswc2Gw

[derekwarner]

Must have been a New Moon monster high-tide to beach her up that high      even the current high-water line doesn't appear adequate??..............


Derek

[kinmel]

She was beached at speed into the deep mud bank and never moved again. She was immediately encased in concrete and so the saga began.
There was no planning permission to beach her there, no public access and no possibility of gaining Certificates/Licences for public use.
The railway separates the ship from the main road and vehicle access was either over a weight limited bridge, or a low height tunnel under the track and so emergency vehicles could not reach the ship and there was no water supply available from the River Dee.
Initially the owners simply pushed on, building emergency exits from the ship that were too steep and using it without permission. The car deck was used as a dancehall, a market and as a warehouse and each and every attempt was stopped with court orders and prohibition orders.
Eventually the project was abandoned for many years, but was watched very carefully for new activity.


As to re-opening, it is certainly their ambition, but they will have to create emergency vehicle access that does not include a level crossing, reliable water supplies and an awful lot of public protection improvements before anyone will discuss Licencing.

It is also worst bit of coast in Wales, the sun is usually behind the hill and the only route is a slow busy road.

[derekwarner]

Well thanks  kinmel......that certainly explains her altitude ......really good planning by the syndicate owners


It is a wonder that the  authorities have not taken action, or are they not officially aware of her location yet? 


.....& the only clear ocean views would b from her stern facing bulkhead


The real Duke of Lancaster [Henry of Grosmont] is probably shaking in his Wellington boots


Derek

[cos918]

Well thanks  kinmel......that certainly explains her altitude ......really good planning by the syndicate owners


It is a wonder that the  authorities have not taken action, or are they not officially aware of her location yet? 


.....& the only clear ocean views would b from her stern facing bulkhead


The real Duke of Lancaster [Henry of Grosmont] is probably shaking in his Wellington boots


Derek

If the authorities were to take action it would cost them millions.
The railway is what is prevening any thing happing with her but also saving her from being scrapped.
She will still there and slowly rust away.
I have walked around her. on the ground when you could.
Whish the people who are trying to restor her all the best but it anit going to happen .
John

[kinmel]

The "authorities", of which I was one, spent more time than you can ever imagine dealing with this nightmare.
At that time no one admitted being the "owner", so Notices were formally delivered to the premises and not a person.  Court Orders for it's removal/demolition were sought regularly, but to no avail.

The ship was officially beyond the official low water mark and thus the ship was legally at sea (the flow of the Dee was altered many times causing massive silting on both shores). In Nelson's time, at Parkgate on the opposite side of the river, large galleons tied up at the quay, now the river is almost half a mile away.

It was inspected weekly by my staff and other authorities too, often followed by a dash to the Magistrates for prohibition notices.

It was simply a war of attrition that eventually led to the project being abandoned.