Britain must build a replica 28-gun frigate

[Guest]

How many fans of Patrick O'Brian's novels reckon it is about time a 28-gun frigate was built in Britain? There is the HMS Rose in the USA so why not a Surprise over here.

What say you to the biggest wooden boatbulding project ever seen on these shores and Lottery hand-outs to fund it?
-
Captain Jack

 

[Jeremy_W]

Well, the Jubilee Sailing Trust launched the three-masted wooden barquentine "Tenacious" (largely lottery-funded) last year which I guess would be bigger than a 28-gun frigate.

 

[chippie]

You'll be wanting the colonies back next.

 

[Guest]

Why not a little (lot) of titavating to HMS Victory to get her back at sea!

 

[Trevethan]

You mean we lost the colonies? WHen?

 

[Guest]

I think even the imagination of P O'Brien would find it hard to equate Tenacious with a 28 gun frigate. But I like this debate, the Yanks have HMS Rose and the likes of Pride of Baltimore, the French have more than their fair share of largish replicas. The Dutch can do Batavia, and the Australians can make the Endeavour and the little Duyfken. We seem to put people to sea in blocks of flats that have fallen on their side, and then had three sticks stuck on.
I love the idea of a restored Victory sailing into Brest, but when you consider that the Royal Navy wasn't even allowed to mention the Battle of Copenhagen at last year's IFOS, then you can work out how long that move would be mooted... even if you could find a politician or Admiral crazy enough to try. I love the idea of building one of Admiral Cochrane's ships (perhaps the Imperieuse!), but maybe that's too warry. Any other ideas?

 

[Guest]

Dan

I have sent a longish signal to your private message desk. Please get in touch

regards

Aubrey

 

[Gordonmc]

An interesting thread, so please excuse my cynicism.
The reality is that the UK is generally apathetic to its maritime heritage, as demonstrated by the shocking fate of the Carrick (a.k.a. City of Adelaide).
This is one of only three iron framed merchantmen left in the world. The other two are beached hulks.
When she sank in Glasgow after several decades being used as a floating clubhouse for the RN Auxialiary she was towed to the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine. Since then the museum hasn't even been able to attract enough cash to keep her from deteriorating, let alone restore her.
Thank heavens for the Diggers who recognise her worth and are financing a rescue. The outcome is that she will be floated off on barges on the first spring tide in 2003 to be taken to Oz.
By all means, build replicas. But why not save the originals first?

 

[Guest]

Reversion of colonies

We got America back when it failed to elect a president back in 2000. You don't think that goon is really in charge, do you? We're just letting them think he is, and HM the Queen is really the head of state.

They're due to get a big shock in a couple of years when we start making them drink tea, play 'soccer' and drive on the correct side of the road...

(an old joke, but a good one...)

"El manana es nuestro, companero..."

 

[aslan]

May I nominate a replica "Beagle"?

An historic British ship of world importance.

An environmental "school ship" would surely gain EC funding.

and perhaps they might let us have a 1/4 size cannon as a feel good factor for us romantics?

Simon Layton

 

[dave36]

Totally aggree, give the young some pride and an insight into their heritage!

Not too sure about the lottery though, think of something to celebrate, set up a charitable trust (sorry that should read hidden commercial venture), get lottery money, build a boat (sorry ship) and sail it across the ocean, celebration over, offer it to the highest bidder (almost certainly try to export it), go through the motions of letting Joe Public get something out of it, but for gods sake make sure they pay!
perhaps a little innacurate, but I am refering to the Matthew - all ship shape and Bristol fashion!