(I am the author. Lemmy anonymity now gone)
Happy to answer questions.
There is a lot of conflicting information here:
The vessel has not entered into a dry dock facility for inspections or major repairs for more than two decades. The underwater condition of the vessel is unknown and poses an unacceptable risk.
vs
The ship has had three underwater inspections and several above water surveys.
Nearly 50 formal meetings have been held between NSW Maritime and the vessel’s owners to raise concerns about its deteriorating condition.
vs
I have written a letter to the NSW Minister for Heritage
The basic problems I see here:
- Without some sort of proof about the inspections/surveys no outsider can tell if these really happend or are legitimate. I would recommend uploading them somewhere and linking them.
- The goverment talks about nearly 50 meetings with you, yet you don’t acknowledge or detail one of them. For an outsider it looks like you ignored these.
- The lengthy description of the state of the dock around the ship (that you don’t own) and interior furniture / machinery are irrelevant for the safety of YOUR ship.
- The ship looks REALLY BAD in the video - there is rust everywhere. When was the last paint job? A decade ago? I’m not sure if a normal person or tourist would like to get on such a ship in the first place…
Well, there are a lot of these museums docked around the world all the time, and very seldom does anything like this happen. I just don’t want people thinking that the only remaining Australian lighthouse supply ship isn’t safe.
I’m sorry to hear how difficult this is for you.
I have to wonder about what’s happened in the lead up, there must have been some sort of negotiation or demand?
I doubt they have any interest in destroying the v collections stored inside.
Is it blocking some rich wankers view?
Is it blocking some rich wankers view?
It’s docked alongside harbour parklands. Very pretty spot.
What now?
I don’t know. I have taken some time of work and have been in tears a few times. I am currently trying my best to support some of the other volunteers, but I’m obviously not doing great myself. A museum being seized and destroyed is unquantifiably unthinkable. Even the thought of destroying a single artefact would tear the average historian apart, let alone thousands of them. The precedent this sets for museums in NSW is terrifying.
I have written a letter to the NSW Minister for Heritage, similar to this blog post, and I hope to hear back from them soon.
If you want to help then please read and share the charity board’s statement requesting a re-evaluation of the rationale for the seizure and the plans to destroy the ship. It refutes several things the NSW government has publicly stated.
Seizing a museum, including all its collections on loan from other groups, and then stating they wish to destroy it… is this really who the NSW government is? Is this what they want to do from now on?
It doesn’t look bad at all (referring to other comment). That US warship that returned from 200 days in deployment looks just as bad. Metal rusts in the ocean.
I hope you get the answers you need.
Thankyou.
I love that comparison. Although I’m going to advise against setting the laundry on fire.
Best of luck.
I (volunteer and they didn’t use it, oh well, board does it’s own thing, I had fun) made a guide app for the QLD maritime museum a few years back (let’s all dox) who have managed to weather a few assaults over recent years. Being in an actual dry dock has given them an inertia that has so far overcome being prime southbank real estate, but it’s unlikely to last forever. Possibly being seaworthy and mobile may be an advantage.
Can’t quite make sense of the destroy it aspect, seems like there may be a dick and/or an ego involved, in which case you may also weather it, seems easier to not destroy. QMM manage with a few not so (although they think so) influential social types and low grade social support. Take a step back and try to see objectively where the threats are, find weakness (it’s likely a bunch of people willing to shout).
https://maritimemuseum.com.au/learn/collections/vessels/
HMAS Diamantina? Looks absolutely gorgeous. Very jealous of the drydock.
Being in an actual dry dock has given them an inertia that has so far overcome being prime southbank real estate
The MV Cape Don is one of the largest historic vessels in Australia, so the choice of drydocks is limited. (Sadly can’t build one out of mud and bucket the water out)
Might getting media interest help? If the situation is covered perhaps it may attract public support for the museum and objection to its destruction.
It had some media attention, the blog mentioned Channel 7. But being the shit sensationalist channel that they are, of course the focus is on generating outrage.
They could’ve used it to generate outrage on the callous way the government is treating valuable and historically significant collections… But noo. Too much work. Let’s focus on some ugly rust instead.
Possible media routes to take,
- Michael West media
- The Conversation (if an academic is involved in the volunteer group)
- Friendly Jordies
I’m on the other side of the country so I don’t know the media scene around Sydney very well, but i’m sure theres other local outlets that would be interested in this story, if those outlets suggested don’t take it on.
Sorry, I missed the channel 7 bit. Have you tried the ABC? At least they are more interested in culture and patrimony. Just a thought.
I believe one of the charity board did an interview with ABC radio, but I can’t find anything about it online :| I will ask around.
That sucks, awesome write up and more power to you! Hopefully the minister gets back to you with something more than generic structural and pollution concerns
Thankyou. It will be interesting to see if they feel they need to back up their claims at all with any references to evidence.
To be fair, it does look like a p.o.s.
What should happen to it then?
Honestly? Recycle what can be recycled.
I mean sure, the paint looks old and worn, but the structure doesn’t look that bad.
