The fate of "Suhaili"

[Prasutigus]

Yes there is definitely a conflict between preserving the original timbers which show the bloodstains etc, and keeping the vessel in commission, so future generations can learn how to sail historic rigs.

Both are worthy aims, but often not compatible... as you say, any original timbers, teak or whatever, won't last forever. But if you keep the boat sailing, you will end up with grandad's broom, which is 100 years old but has had a few new handles etc.

Luke Powell had another view. He is trying to raise a public subscription, grants, volunteers etc to build an old trading schooner, but the project is based around a rotten slimy wreck buried in the mud of the Medway.
I asked, surely it would be easier to do a total newbuild?
And he said yes, but for raising the public interest, and funds and volunteers of course, we have the name, the history ('provenance', family and local connections etc) and a few bits of wood to be symbolically inserted, into a newbuild, gaff topsl trading schooner, a very rare type. Rhoda Mary project is the name.

Im not saying I've got the answers, but.. Suhaili!

 

[lpdsn]

Luke Powell had another view. He is trying to raise a public subscription, grants, volunteers etc to build an old trading schooner, but the project is based around a rotten slimy wreck buried in the mud of the Medway.
I asked, surely it would be easier to do a total newbuild?
And he said yes, but for raising the public interest, and funds and volunteers of course, we have the name, the history ('provenance', family and local connections etc) and a few bits of wood to be symbolically inserted, into a newbuild, gaff topsl trading schooner, a very rare type. Rhoda Mary project is the name.

Im not saying I've got the answers, but.. Suhaili!

The USN got away with that in the late nineteenth century. They got funds from congress to repair several ironclads but used them to build brand new ships with the same names. I think there was a bit of a fuss when it got out.

 

[Prasutigus]

The USN got away with that in the late nineteenth century. They got funds from congress to repair several ironclads but used them to build brand new ships with the same names. I think there was a bit of a fuss when it got out.[/QUOUTE]
And the Royal Navy was tricked into paying for a herd of camels, by some genius who described them as 'ships of the desert'!

 

[Mad Pad]

Camels "Ships of the desert" full of Arab seamen?

 

[Prasutigus]

Camels "Ships of the desert" full of Arab seamen?

I think it was T.E.Lawrence ('of Arabia') who put in the requisition, so quite possibly

 

[DJE]

Greetings, if R K-J had got around the world, solo non-stop, on a Westerly, then that particular tupperware floating caravan would be the historic vessel. ( A far-fetched scenario, as a psychiatrist declared him completely sane shortly before departure..)
If , as you say, the Westerly was available, he must have rejected the design

According to his book R K-J was trying to sell Suhali and buy a better boat for the circumnavigation. It was the lack of a buyer that forced him to go in Suhali (after addition of the rather strange self-steering gear). So I doubt he had the freedom that you imply to choose the best boat for the job.

 

[Prasutigus]

According to his book R K-J was trying to sell Suhali and buy a better boat for the circumnavigation. It was the lack of a buyer that forced him to go in Suhali (after addition of the rather strange self-steering gear). So I doubt he had the freedom that you imply to choose the best boat for the job.

Yes that rings a bell actually, my humblest apologies to Westerly..