Could it be The Carrick's final voyage?

Jul 3 2009 by Eric McGowan, Irvine Herald

The Carrick

THE FUTURE of The Carrick could hinge on an engineers’ survey set to be carried out within weeks.

Campaigners hoping to ship the historic clipper to Sunderland have commissioned an independent assessment of the vessel to see if it can be safely moved.

They hope the step will persuade bosses at Irvine’s Scottish Maritime Museum – where the Carrick is rotting on a slipway – that it can be returned to its Wearside home.

The Museum is already under pressure to act because the land on which the ship rests is earmarked for development.

The Sunderland City of Adelaide Recovery Foundation (SCARF) is raising funds to transport the ship back to Sunderland, where it is estimated £20m would be needed for a full restoration.

It claims it already has enough cash to return to the vessel to the River Wear.

Foundation spokesman Peter Maddison said: “Engineers are going to carry out a detailed survey of the ship so within a couple of days we will have exact scientific evidence of its condition.

“We cannot allow this beautiful ship to be broken up.

“When we have her back in Sunderland we will be starting a full restoration so that once again the River Wear will have one of the maritime wonders of the world.”

The man heading the ship’s deconstruction committee, Sam Galbraith, has said he would be happy to hand the ship over to the foundation if they have sufficient funds.

The Carrick, which pre-dates the Cutty Sark, was built at Sunderland in 1864.