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Titanic's sister ship Nomadic 'left to rot'
Saturday, 5 September 2009
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The Titanic’s little sister has been left to all but rot away for three years as she awaits decisions on how she will be restored, it has been claimed.
Rupert Keyzar has spent almost three years caring for SS Nomadic, the tender that carried first class passengers onto the Titanic and is to be restored by Nomadic Charitable Trust after she was saved from the scrapyard in 2006.
The Department of Social Development bought and returned Nomadic to Belfast at a cost of £582,000, and the Northern Ireland Audit Office estimates that it will cost £7 million to restore her to her original condition.
After his post as caretaker employed by an outside body ended this week, the Nomadic and historic ships expert said he could no longer stand by, claiming she has been “very, very neglected” since the Nomadic Charitable Trust took over and allowed it to “all but rot away”. Rainwater is running over original mouldings and rivets are corroded, he claimed.
The trust said it would be unwise to spend money on minor issues that would be addressed in the restoration, which cannot begin until the conservation management plan (CMP) is complete.
Mr Keyzar claimed he sent numerous emails and reports raising concerns to trust members, but nothing was done. A survey in April last year showed how the integrity of the hull had changed since a 2003 survey in France.
“The hull was in good condition overall, but there were areas where it had reduced to 4.5mm and one even as low as 3mm,” Mr Keyzar said.
“With most of the bulkheads broken, the ship could have sunk in a few hours had she ever been holed in some way.
“At the wind-water line, there are rivet heads that had cracked up and were falling apart. The whole area was very, very suspect and noticeably worse than when she returned in 2006.
“From the very first meeting I went to in November 2006, one of the first things I said was that because of the amount of rainwater pouring into the ship, the way to avoid this would be to build a protective cover that goes over the entire vessel and would withstand the weather.
“This is in line with National Historic Ship Committee recommendations but has also been ignored,” Mr Keyzar said.
“In the end they went with this totally ineffective cover in the bow that cost £3,000 of taxpayers’ money, for nothing.
“However, this protective cover and framework was removed after it was torn apart by bad weather. The open deck is still rusting away horrendously and there’s rainwater pouring into the ship.
“All of this deterioration of the inside is ruining the original moulding and it could have been stopped if the trust had listened and had a professional cover installed.
“Now she is out of the water rusting will be accelerated, given that the metal is subject to an oxygen atmosphere. Even if the water is evaporated, all the salt in the metal is still there — any kind of moisture is going to reactivate it, even a sea mist.
“With the way things are going this is going to kill the ship’s true potential and therefore the chance for Northern Ireland to have a true world-class attraction.
“The only way to stop this is by making people aware and letting the world know how this project is being handled.”
The Nomadic Charitable Trust said: “We find it surprising that Mr Keyzar should suddenly raise these issues so shortly after his employment on Nomadic has been terminated.
“While we take on board his comments, the trust will continue to work to and be directed by professionally qualified engineers on all technical aspects of the ship’s restoration programme.”
The trust said a professional condition survey carried out earlier this year as part of the CMP deemed the hull to be in good condition. Professional dry dock inspections are done every week and the ship routinely monitored to make sure no major deterioration happens.
“It would be unwise of the trust to spend money on minor issues which will be fully addressed as part of the extensive restoration programme,” a spokesperson said.
“The very small areas of thinning will not have a detrimental effect on the ship due to the timescale of restoration work and further assessments will be undertaken now the ship is in dry dock.
“Environmental requirements dictate that growth on the hull cannot yet be removed and we are working with marine specialists on this matter.
“The restoration work cannot begin until the ongoing conservation management plan is completed, which is expected by the end of this year. This element is essential to ensure that she is professionally restored in line with her elevated status on the Core Collection of the National Register of Historic Vessels.
“In an ideal world, we would have been in a position to restore Nomadic straight away — however, there was significant planning and fundraising required to undertake the project properly.
“We can reassure the public that the project is being managed professionally and sensitively.”
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I hope that they save the Nomadic because im a huge fan of Titanic and that last White star line ship will be the last thing that I can see to remember the Titanic.
Posted by Devin | 24.09.09, 22:58 GMT
I worked on the nomadic for a very short time in 2007 and I am saddened that the work that was going on when I was there has stopped I really thought by now it would have been restored to its full potential. Im also really sorry to hear that they have let Rupert go as he was one of the most dedicated members of staff on the ship I just hope Mervyn is still there !
Posted by sarah | 15.09.09, 19:02 GMT
Recently viewed the Nomadic in Hamiltons dock during the tall ships event. Open for only 2 weeks to raise funds going towards her restoration.
I have every faith that the Trust will restore the ship and give us all something to be proud off. Emotional attachments are all well and good; but as Rupert himself states below - it will only be true business sense that will make this a remarkable and financially rewarding asset for Belfast and the wider economy to be proud of. Which is exactly why the ship was brought back to her home in the first place.
Posted by Mary | 10.09.09, 12:05 GMT
How can people say that such a fantastically important piece of our maritime heritage should be "Taken out and Sunk" beggars belief.
There is simply no hope with people such as this.
Posted by Nige | 08.09.09, 16:05 GMT
Looking at her now, of course people think like this.
However, just imagine a pristine ship, gleaming paintwork, smoke coming out of her funnel as she glides out of Belfast. Inside you are surrounded by the legendary craftsmanship of yesteryear and below decks, you watch the steam engines spin away as they push the ship further up the Lough.
This is all possible - but sadly not with the current Trust. Only passion, vision, foresight and true business sense will make this a reality.
Posted by Rupert Keyzar | 07.09.09, 17:51 GMT
Reply to Joanne Stuart - your comment is hilarious! NI could survive on the income from the tourism alone from the titanic Story (if the politicians can support it!). there would be full employment. NO more Troubles, no more problems full stop!!!
Posted by Andrew | 06.09.09, 14:31 GMT
Tow to titanic resting spot and let it sink enough of the tax payers money has been spent on this piece of junk which is of no real historical importance
Posted by hugh | 06.09.09, 12:54 GMT
Take it out into the lough and sink it, the things an eye sore to a series of failed ships of which the Titanic was not even the first.
Posted by Rob | 06.09.09, 11:02 GMT
Its a common misconseption that Harland and wolff built an un-sinkable ship, something the media at the time blew out of all proportion. It was stated that when three of the compartments flooded it would still be able to float . Quality control back in the day wasnt high on the white star lines priorities, After all it took skilled Ulster men to Build her and an English man to sink her. Why cant Belfast people see the visitor potential of restoring the Nomadic and get the economy moving again.
Posted by Rowena | 05.09.09, 23:24 GMT
First of all Joanne it is Sank not Sunk. This ship is of major importance and many many people from around the world are interested in it and the whole Titanic package. As for Luxury apartments, have you actually seen the mess they are already making of the Docks area. I recently visited the area and many of the tourists just simply are amazed that we have not preserved and looked after the area and it's history. Luxury apartments will only increase the amount of yuppies on queens island, restoring and preserving it to it's former glory will bring so many tourists who bring money to our country.
Posted by Concerned | 05.09.09, 21:57 GMT
Joanne thanks for your comments but they only underline the fact that few people really know what Nomadic is about. Although the Titanic link is what the media seem to focus on this is only a part of what this ship represents.
Nomadic did not sink, in fact she remains afloat after almost a century bearing tribute to the enormous talent which made Belfast a centre of shipbuilding excellence for almost 100 years.
Have you been aboard and seen the magnificent skill and workmanship which represents the handiwork of tens of thousands of Belfast craftsmen?
Did you know that the ship served in BOTH world wars under the allies and saved countless lives during the evacuation of Cherbourg ahead of the nazi invasion?
These and other reasons is why this ship has been designated one of the most historic vessels in existence... and she was built right here in Belfast, what can be more relevant than that?
Posted by Mervyn Pritchard | 05.09.09, 19:57 GMT
A total waste of money from the beginning.The government should be ashamed at spending that amount of money on an eyesore.
Posted by Michael Riley | 05.09.09, 16:11 GMT
What about building luxury apartments on it?
Stephen
Posted by Stephen | 05.09.09, 10:50 GMT
Seriously, taxpayers' money is to be spent/has been spent on this? Why? It's hardly of historical importance, has no real relevance or purpose now and if anything is just a reminder of the fact that H&W built an unsinkable ship that sunk on its maiden voyage.
Posted by Joanne Stuart | 05.09.09, 08:35 GMT