so whats going to happen to her just sit there and rot or sold for scrap.
see this ...
Ex-captain's nephew launches bid to save 'funship'
a.. Published Date: 27 February 2008
a.. Source: Evening Leader Flintshire
a.. Location: Wrexham
http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/By paul mannion
A CAMPAIGN to restore a cruise liner to its former glory is set to sail full
steam ahead, after being revived by the nephew of the ship's original
captain.
The Duke of Lancaster, which is moored in the Dee near Mostyn, has lain
derelict for a number of years after being taken out of service in 1979.
Known locally as the "funship", it has been used in the intervening years
for various purposes, including as a leisure centre and a clothing
warehouse.
John Veal is spearheading a fresh drive to restore the passenger liner,
which once featured silver service restaurants, state rooms and luxurious
cabins.
"We've started up a website dedicated to the Duke of Lancaster and we are
hoping to get something done with it," said the 51-year-old, who lives in
Hull and runs his own business in Humberside. "Ideally we would like to see
it saved and brought up to the right condition.
"We really need to speak to the owners and find out how willing they are to
do something."
Last year a campaign by local man Luke Howard saw 224 people sign a petition
to "save" the liner, following rumours it was to be sold for scrap or sunk
off the coast of Liverpool and used to train divers.
The 52-year-old vessel, along with sister ships the Duke of Rothesay and the
Duke of Argyll, was among the last passenger-only steamers built for British
Railways, at that time also a ferry operator.
It was built at Harland and Wolff, in Belfast, and was designed to operate
as both a passenger ferry, primarily on the Heysham-Belfast route, and as a
cruise ship, travelling as far afield as Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands,
Norway and Spain.
Mr Veal's maternal uncle, John Irwin, served as the vessel's first captain
for approximately nine years from her maiden voyage in 1956. "He was in the
Royal Navy, was captain of an anti-aircraft ship during the war and then
came to work for British Railways," said Mr Veal.
"He's a celebrity in the family and that's what sparked the interest in the
Duke of Lancaster really."
In 1979 the ship was beached at its present location near Mostyn, and was
turned into an amusement arcade. More recently, it has been used as storage
space by Solitaire, a clothing company from Liverpool.
Mr Veal has now set up the Save the Lancaster Foundation to gather support
and is aiming to hold a meeting of the group next month to discuss the best
way forward with plans.
So far, though, he has not been able to get hold of the ship's owners.
He said: "We have written to them but they have refused to answer any of our
letters and without their approval there is not a lot we can do. It's very
early days but we are trying to arrange a meeting with people who want to
see something done with the ship.
"We want to come together and discuss our various ideas and then put
pressure to bear on them."
Solitaire Liverpool did not comment when contacted by the Evening Leader.
Anyone who wants to get involved with the Save the Lancaster Foundation, or
who has any information or memorabilia relating to the ship, can phone John
Veal on 07971660573.
The website,
www.dukeoflancaster.net, is online now.
What do you think the 'funship' should be used for?
Have your say by leaving a comment below
The full article contains 587 words and appears in Evening Leader Flintshire
newspaper.
Last Updated: 27 February 2008 2:03 PM
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