HMS Unicorn, one of the most historical ships in the world, has taken a major step towards securing her future thanks to a vital £796,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The UPS now urgently need to raise £650,000 by April 2025 to unlock grants worth £10 million to realise Project Safe Haven.
The initial award from The National Heritage Lottery Fund will go towards the total cost of moving and securing HMS Unicorn within Dundee’s repaired East Graving Dock, ensuring a stable environment for the long-term preservation of Scotland’s oldest ship. This move is an essential part of the Unicorn Preservation Society’s vision of Project Safe Haven, an ambitious plan to help transform Dundee’s historic docks with a purpose-built visitor centre that will enhance community engagement and celebrate HMS Unicorn’s maritime heritage.
Work has already begun to safeguard the future of the 200 year old vessel, run as an accredited museum and popular visitor attraction, returning strength and robustness to HMS Unicorn’s hull. This will be achieved by cutting edge structural reinforcement, improving her resilience at her current berth and readying her for her move to the East Graving Dock.
To realise the pressing need to move HMS Unicorn to the dry East Graving Dock, the Unicorn Preservation Society urgently need to match The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s investment by April 2025. This will unlock some £10 million of strategic grants required to finance this work, including from Tay Cities Region Deal.
The necessary and vital work includes the emptying of the dock, repairing it with a new caisson and making it structurally sound and refilled to receive HMS Unicorn floating over a supportive cradle. The delivery of this work is expected to support further funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund of up to £3.3 million, ready for the next stage of Project Safe Haven.
Executive Director, Matthew Bellhouse Moran, said: “This incredible pledge from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a massive boost to our fundraising efforts; finance is urgently required to secure the future of this 200-year-old ship for future generations to enjoy. This grant is both a recognition of HMS Unicorn’s immense historical significance and a vote of confidence in our vision to secure her future, namely Project Safe Haven.
“However, the clock is ticking. We urgently need the support of individuals, businesses, and organisations to raise the finance needed for the next stage of Project Safe Haven, moving HMS Unicorn into Dundee’s East Graving Dock, ensuring she doesn’t succumb to the wear and tear of time. Without support, HMS Unicorn, a symbol of Dundee’s rich maritime history, may not survive.”
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For every £1 donated, the UPS will receive a further £10 from these charity grants.
Source: Press release
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