SOS Falls of Clyde

[mflapan]

Dear All

This thread is a little out of the normal scope of this forum but I believe that participants will find the subject of importance. Hopefully the moderator will feel the same!

The historic 130 year old 4 masted ship Falls of Clyde is under threat of destruction at Honolulu.

This would be no less than an act of vandalism as the Falls of Clyde is of great significance for Hawaii, for the United States AND for the international community. The ship is:

One of the very few remaining nineteenth century square-riggers;
The only remaining example of a four masted fully-rigged ship afloat;
The only remaining example of a sailing oil tanker; and
The only remaining big sailing ship to have been registered in Hawaii.

If the loss of this wonderful old vessel is of concern to you, or even better if you feel you would like to do something about it then please visit my web page at:

http://www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde.html

Regards
Mori

[Butch .H]

Can you or are you authorised to raise money to save this beautiful ship. If so contact me for my donation

[mflapan]

Dear Butch H.

Thank you very much for your generous offer of support to save the iron 4-masted ship Falls of Clyde.

I am not directly involved in any fund-raising organisation, but there is a link on my webpage to the Save the Falls of Clyde webpages at:

http://www.savethefallsofclyde.com/page2.htm

The bottom of the their page gives the information about a fund-raising drive.

Best regards
Mori
http://www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde.html

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If you donate to the Bishop Museum and they still sink her, you will probably NOT get your money back! So if you want your money back in case they sink her, please donate to the Caledonian Society and they will guarantee your refund.

Whom to Contact

Jeanie Ainlay (808) 678-8881 ainlayj001@hawaii.rr.com

Heather MacGregor (808) 526-1559 heather@savethefallsofclyde.com

Direct Contributions

If you want to contribute directly to the effort to save the Falls of Clyde, please send your donation to The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, P.O. Box 4164, Honolulu HI 96812-4164.

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[mflapan]

Dear All

I have added a new page linked to the Falls of Clyde webpage illustrating an approach to restoration that might have value for the Falls of Clyde and other museum vessels.

You can view the page at:

http://www.boatregister.net/JamesCraig.html

If you have not done so already, please consider expressing your concerns regarding the proposed scuttling of the Falls of Clyde. A list of persons and organizations of influence can be found at the webpage http://www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde.html with email addresses listed.

A few minutes of your time could help save this lovely old ship.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

Dear All

The latest information sent to me by a friend:

Spartalk forum at http://briontoss.com/spartalk/showthread.php?p=3650

2008-06-30

.....but have been flat-out on a major project: sending down the rig on the four-masted, full-rigged ship "Falls of Clyde", in Honolulu. It is exciting work, and it is a privilege to be aboard one of the finest square-riggers on Earth, but boy is it exhausting.
So far we've sent down all the yards on the jigger and mizzen masts. We move on to the main tomorrow. I am hoping that things will smooth out, and that I'll be able to be more present here soon. Christian will be posting photo's on the site in the near future. Until later then,

Photos can be viewed at: http://www.briontoss.com/fallsofclyde/index.html (compare the current condition of the Falls of Clyde against the condition at the beginning of the restoration of the James Craig (2Mb)).

2008-07-13

....As for the ship's future, it appears to be extremely short; we were hired for the downrig because major pieces were starting to fall out of the sky, and the hull was in even worse shape. So we are endeavoring to give the dear vessel a solid and respectful last downrig. As of today, after 3 weeks here, there are only 3 topmasts and some standing rigging left to send down. Already on deck are the jibboom, 4 t'gallant masts,14 yards, and thousands of feet of standing rigging. Also a huge pile of blocks, shackles, etc. We calculate that we have lowered about 40 tons of wood and metal so far. This is a large ship....

Regards Mori

[AuxiliaryComms]

That doesn't sound good. Isn't there some way to get this blocked while funds are raised?

[mflapan]

Dear Jason

Thank you for your concern.

I understand the vessel is designated a national monument by the US National Parks Service. I would suggest that you might discuss the situation with them. If anyone has the power to prevent this, it is a Federal Government Agency such as this one. I have written to them myself, but as a non-US citizen, there is a limit to the influence that I can exert

I heard today that a public forum was to be held in Honolulu. I have not yet heard of an outcome. Will keep you all informed.

In the meantime I have written a second letter to the editor of the Honolulu Star Bulletin as follows, which I hope will be published.

Best regards
Mori

______________________________________________________________

Dear Mr Bridgewater

The ongoing threatened destruction of the Falls of Clyde continues to be of major concern to people all over the world who are interested in our maritime heritage. There are ongoing reports that the vessel is being derigged in preparation for scuttling. See the web page http://www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde.html

A number of international chat forums have their eyes on Hawaii to see what will happen. Hawaii is in real danger of equating itself with certain irresponsible "third world countries" when it comes to preserving the world's cultural heritage. It is equivalent to blowing up antiquities in the name of religious zealotry. Just in this case, it is in the name of capitalism or worse still, apathy!.

There are viable alternatives to scuttling the Falls of Clyde available for the Bishop museum. These are not theoretical but have been learnt through actual experience. Lessons learnt during the restoration of the James Craig's in Sydney are relevant to the Falls of Clyde. These can be viewed on my web page at http://www.boatregister.net/JamesCraig.html. A photo of the James Craig under sail after being restored from a state in much worse condition than the Falls of Clyde is attached. You are welcome to publish it.

Placing the ship on a pontoon dock will buy time to locate funds. Other alternatives could be found. You could recommission a disused dry dock if you have one available (yes we did that too to restore another ship, the tug Waratah). Or if worse comes to worse, the Bishop Museum could beach the hull in a remote protected location. Excuse my bluntness, but do anything to hold onto the ship till either Hawaiian society can arrange to properly protect its maritime heritage, or a new home can be found for your poor orphan of the sea. Who knows, perhaps someone might be able to convince the UAE to come to the rescue of the world's only preserved oil tanker. It would make a wonderful centrepiece at one of Dubai's new developments. The main thing that I emplore is please don't scuttle the Falls of Clyde because if you do, she will be lost to Hawaii and the world forever!

Yours sincerely

Mori Flapan

[mflapan]

Dear participants to Boat Design.net

This is the latest report on events concerning the threat to the Falls of Clyde.

A meeting of concerned stakeholders was held on Monday 14 July in Honolulu to see what could be done to save the Falls of Clyde. About 30 people attended including members of the Propeller Club, Coast Guard officials, a representative of the Bishop Museum, original riggers of the ship, Harbor Pilots, a Maritime Archaeologist (who had done an 8 page recommendation for the reconstruction of hull etc.), the Caledonian Society, the Navy League, a dry dock company that is considering dry docking the ship at cost and a towing company that will tow her there free. The meeting was described by one participant as hot and heavy because most people had no idea that the ship was to be sunk until the articles were leaked into the newspapers and magazines. A number of proposals were mooted. A company originally contracted to tow the ship out for sinking has refused to do so. The Bishop Museum agreed to stop dismantling the ship for the time being. The spars and masts have been removed but they were in bad shape anyway. Another meeting is scheduled for next Monday.

While this very small start has been a positive development, the Falls of Clyde is still very much in treacherous waters. I encourage any concerned persons to keep an eye on what is happening and to continue to actively lobby to save this very historic vessel.

Regards
Mori

[longliner45]

im so sorry,,,,,seeing the destruction of a piece of history ,,but please dont ask for my tax dollars to be spent here ,,in a time of war ,I would rather buy some armoure for a humvee or some body armoure for a trooper in the field ,,we should not be botherd by a old sailboat that nobody seems to care about.,if it were a time of peace ,,my responce would be much different ,,please bear with me ,,,but the federal money could be spent much wiser,,longliner

[longliner45]

private donation is the only hope ,so if that fails ,,dont blame Hawaii,or the US,,all concerned from abroad,,put your money up,longliner

[artemis]

im so sorry,,,,,seeing the destruction of a piece of history ,,but please dont ask for my tax dollars to be spent here ,,in a time of war ,I would rather buy some armoure for a humvee or some body armoure for a trooper in the field ,,we should not be botherd by a old sailboat that nobody seems to care about.,if it were a time of peace ,,my responce would be much different ,,please bear with me ,,,but the federal money could be spent much wiser,,longliner

:!: Being a US Army vet and a very proud American - I'm not very proud when blithering, right wing, war hawks put the killing of men, women, and children above the preservation of history. Fortunately we both live in a country where freedom of speech is still a right, otherwise I'd find another way to contest your vicious and cruel spending of OUR tax dollars. :!:

[mflapan]

Dear longliner

It interests me that you make the assumption that I am advocating that the Falls of Clyde would be restored entirely by tax dollars. Hopefully philanthropy is still alive and well in the US. In restoring the James Craig, we were very fortunate to have a number of significant large private donations as well as contributions by government and many thousands of small donations of cash, as well as years of voluntary commitment by a large group of people. I believe the US Government has two roles.

1. To do what is needed to prevent the ship being destroyed.
2. To provide enough seed money to get the project on the road again.

As I have said in some earlier posts, success breeds success. If progress can be seen in intermediate phases of the project, that will encourage others at a future date to provide support in cash or in kind.

The proposal to place the Falls of Clyde on a pontoon dock is a great first step. It both saves the ship from being scuttled or sinking through neglect, and it provides the first tangible sign that the outcome is achievable.

Just as an aside, it is interesting to note that the Brits took steps to protect the Cutty Sark during WW2, notwithstanding their critical position at time of war. Conflicts will come and go, but we need to be optomistic that civilization goes on. While I have sympathy for your concerns, the challenge is to find the right balance between immediate needs and the long term interests of our descendants. That is why I would not suggest that all funds be forthcoming from Government now. All that is needed is to take the necessary steps to secure the vessel for the future.

I hope this helps to clarify my position.

I have attached a photo of the James Craig at sea, mainly just to inspire.

Best regards
Mori

[artemis]

Don't waste your breath, Mori. Longliner is more interested in buying bullets to kill babies than retaining a cultural heritage.

[mflapan]

Dear All

STOP PRESS!!!!

I received the following message today from Chris Woolaway:

...just got word that the Bishop Museum has stuck with their original time table the FALLS is scheduled to be sunk on Tuesday Aug. 5. which was not what we heard at Monday’s meeting from Blair.

It looks like the situation is getting desperate. If you don't want to see this lovely old ship destroyed forever, write to Tim Johns President of the Bishop Museum at museum@bishopmuseum.org. Also write to one or more of the various people listed at the top of the Falls of Clyde webpage at www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde.html

It would be a terrible thing if the ship was scuttled before the local group who are trying to save her get a chance to become established. The following is a summary of their meeting only just last Monday

Regards
Mori

"The report of the Friends of the Falls of Clyde meeting that was held on 28 July focussed on the immediate issue of what would have to be done to save the ship. It was reported that, while the Bishop Museum was willing to see another party take over the vessel, they would only delay their plans to scuttle the vessel for a limited period, thought to possibly be till mid August. It was noted that the next Museum Board meeting of the Bishop Museum is to be held in about three weeks. It was imperative that the Board be presented with some sort of fleshed out preservation plan with a realistic budget, but taking into account generous offers of support through donations or 'at cost' provision of goods and services. There would need to be a non-profit organization to take responsibility of the ship from Bishop Museum, and this could also be discussed at the Board meeting. With this in mind, other items that were discussed at the Friends of Falls of Clyde meeting included potential groups that might take the vessel on, planning for project coordination, a project office, matters pertaining to purchase of the vessel (including fundraising, insurance, berthing, existing documenttion), securing of the vessel, short term restoration goals, partnerships with other organizations, A disturbing development was news that representatives of the San Diego Maritime Museum and Mystic Seaport Museum would be coming out to view the rigging fittings from Falls of Clyde for their own use. Their best guess was that as things currently stand, the ship had a one in five chance of being saved. The next meeting is scheduled for 4 August"

[mflapan]

Dear All

The immediate threat has been averted. Bishop Museum has now back-tracked (TEMPORARILY!). The new date that they have set for scuttling the Falls of Clyde is 1st Sept 2008, a stay of execution for a month. Thank you to those who added their voices to help persuade Bishop Museum to think again.

While this is good news in that there is some more time for action, the local group still needs support wherever it might be available. So please keep thinking about and exploring options for how we can secure the ship's future.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

Dear All

This is the latest in the Falls of Clyde saga.

[TEMPORARY] Recission of EPA Region 9's conditional concurrence for ocean disposal of FALLS OF CLYDE

All,

After I issued a conditional concurrence concerning disposal of the Falls of Clyde vessel on July 14th, it came to EPA's attention weeks later that the vessel had been designated a national historical landmark pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). As EPA is obliged to consult with the National Historic Preservation Office (NHPO) and its state office under Section 106 of NHPA prior to authorizing actions that may affect a designated landmark, we hereby rescind our conditional concurrence. We are in contact with NHPO and will work with them and the vessel owners to complete consultation as quickly as possible. At that point, we will reconsider your request for ocean disposal if it remains necessary to pursue that disposal option - the same details (i.e., disposal site coordinates, proposed tow plan) should remain in effect for the ocean disposal option. In the meantime, please contact us if you have questions about this consultation process or if any urgent situations develop in regard to the condition of the vessel.


Allan .....
Oceanographer / Regional Ocean Dumping Coordinator
Dredging and Sediment Management Team (WTR-8)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

This is a very significant development. I originally wrote to the National Parks and Wildlife Service about the ship. I have seen correspondence that indicates that they are currently unconcerned about the destruction of this National Historic Monument. It sounds like it might be well worthwhile for others to express their concerns regarding the proposed scuttling of the Falls of Clyde as this very critical time. I suggest you write or email Mary A. Bomar Director of the National Parks Service via the National Register email address nr_info@nps.gov. The more people object, the more likely the NPS may reconsider their earlier advice.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

Dear All

The latest word on the Falls of Clyde saga is that there are concerns that the Bishop Museum may not have been following due process in its plans to scuttle the Falls of Clyde. Apparently the proposed action is subject to what is called a Section 106 review. However, nothing will happen unless the spotlight is squarely shone on the US government to be proactive in their involvement.

The Falls of Clyde Group have launched a petition that can be viewed at:

http://www.savethefallsofclyde.com/FOCpetition.htm

The petition provides a relatively straight-forward method for you as concerned persons to express your views. Signing the petition will help provide a concentrated expression of public disapproval.

Also, the Bishop Museum has had discussions with an Australian regarding the possibility of acquiring the ship. While this could provide a safety net should attempts to preserve the ship in Hawaii fail, the negotiations are still far from fruition, and the ship still remains at threat.

Best regards
Mori

[AuxiliaryComms]

Has anyone thought of contacting Barrack Obama regarding this. Being from Hawaii and nbeing on the campaign trail may make it a good issue for him.

[mflapan]

Dear All

The following news item that appeared in the Honolulu Advertiser on Monday indicates that the Falls of Clyde is still very much at risk. Some of you may have experienced problems signing the petition calling on the vessel not to be destroyed. I am told that the issues have now been overcome. So if there is a heritage-aware bone in your body, might I encourage you to act NOW and sign the petition at:

http://oahure.com/FallsOfClyde/petition.php

Best regards
Mori

The 130-year-old ship will be sunk unless a new owner is found by Sept. 1, according to Timothy E. Johns, president and CEO of Bishop Museum.

In a letter to Bishop Museum friends and family dated Aug. 14, Johns explained that three parties who expressed interest in adopting the ship are no longer factors. The Falls of Clyde needs extensive restoration work, which could cost $32 million, as well as ongoing maintenance of $1 million per year, Johns said.

In his letter, Johns said:

"Although we continue to meet with various community members to try and come up with additional ideas to save the ship, we must recognize at this point after six months of searching for a new caretaker that if a suitable adoption arrangement for the Falls of Clyde cannot be worked out with any interested parties by Sept. 1, we will have no other option but to sink the ship."

Johns said the Falls of Clyde has been uninsured since February, posing a liability to personnel and property at its Honolulu Harbor berth site. "If the ship was to sink at this time, the cost to bring it out of the water would place the museum in direct jeopardy of its continued operation," Johns said.

In conclusion, Johns wrote, "We are saddened by the prospect of sinking the Falls of Clyde. We wish we could do more, but we neither have the finances nor staff resources to undertake the significant fund-raising campaign that would be necessary to restore the vessel."

[mflapan]

Dear All

1. The "Friends of the Falls of Clyde" has just been incorporated.

2. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have apparently SIGNED OFF on scuttling the ship after having spoken to Tim Johns, the President of the Bishop Museum.

3. The Friends of the Falls of Clyde have today sent the Bishop Museum a letter asking to be included in the Section 106 process, so that they can provide community input.

4. The fear is that the Bishop Museum could scuttle the ship NEXT MONDAY 1st of September. If this happens, recriminations won't bring her back.

I have just written to nearly all of the people listed on the webpage www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde.html highlighting the fact that the Falls of Clyde is still threatened even though there have been two good offers to take the ship on.

Please forgive my mentioning it again, but don't forget to sign the petition on http://oahure.com/FallsOfClyde/petition.php and perhaps take the opportunity to mention it to your friends, families and work colleagues.

The current statistics of the petition are given below. Thank you to those who have participated.

Best regards
Mori

25 Aug, 2008
Total number of signatures: 165

Australia 55
USA 63
UK 14
Canada 4
Singapore 2
Scotland 3
Belgium 2
The Netherlands 5
Denmark 1
Sweden 1
New Zealand 1

[mflapan]

Dear All

The Friends of the Falls of Clyde have a meeting scheduled with the President of the Bishop Museum for Wednesday Sept. 3rd.

I interpret that to mean that the Falls of Clyde will not be scuttled on Monday prior to such a meeting. So at the very least, everyone who has expressed an opinion to save the ship should be pleased that there is an 11th hour stay of execution.

However, may I suggest that you keep up the pressure because agreement has not been reached and ownership has not been transferred. Even if the Bishop Museum decides to pass on the ship to new owners, there are still questions regarding the artefacts from the ship, private trust funds set aside for the ship, and restitution for any vandalism that may have occurred (institutional or otherwise).

So please don't forget to sign the petition on http://oahure.com/FallsOfClyde/petition.php and tell others who might be similarly concerned.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

FALLS OF CLYDE GIVEN AN 11TH HOUR STAY OF EXECUTION!!!

Dear all

The president of the Friends of the Falls of Clyde (FFOC) Bruce McEwan reported that the meeting held between representatives of the FFOC and the Bishop Museum on Wednesday 3 September had gone well. The FFOC presented how they intended to meet with the specified criteria set by the Bishop Museum including insurance. The Bishop Museum undertook to provide the FFOC with the document that would be used to convey the ownership subject to the FFOC meeting all their terms.

Mr McEwan said "We are encouraged that we were well received by the CEO (Timothy Johns) and COO of Bishop Museum, but they made it clear that the final decision to transfer ownership rests with their Board of Directors, which is scheduled to meet on 25 September.

"We still have work to do, but we are optimistic at this time that we will be successful.

"We will need approval from the Bishop Board and the State Harbors Division to leave the ship at its current berth until we have
drydock availability later this year.

The outcome of this meeting, while very positive, does not yet guarantee that the Falls of Clyde would not be scuttled in the near future.

Please keep watching what is happening to the Falls of Clyde, spreading the word to your friends and others about her plight, and of course encouraging people to sign the petition. It is important that when making their decision on the 25th, the board of the Bishop Museum have a full appreciation of how much the ship is valued by people in Hawaii, the USA and the rest of the world.

The petition web address is at: http://oahure.com/FallsOfClyde/petition.php

By the way, I noticed in a post on another forum that there was a comment that the Bishop Museum is no longer taking donations for the ship. For those who might be interested in donating to save the Falls of Clyde: the Save the Falls of Clyde webpage at: http://www.savethefallsofclyde.com/page2.htm states:

If you want to contribute directly to the effort to save the Falls of Clyde, please send your donation to The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, P.O. Box 4164, Honolulu HI 96812-4164.

Thank you to those who have already acted to help save the Falls of Clyde. To others, it is not too late to do something that will make a difference.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

Dear All

One week to go before the Board of the Bishop Museum meet on the 25 September to decide the fate of the Falls of Clyde.

The President of the Friends of the Falls of Clyde is due to meet with the principals of Bishop Museum on 18 September at 3 p.m. to hopefully finalize an agreement of sale.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, as well as the Chairman of the World Ship Trust, Lord Greenway are reported to have expressed considerable interest and serious concerns at the proposed destruction of the vessel.

There has been a strong response to the petition at:
http://oahure.com/FallsOfClyde/petition.php

Mahalo to all who have signed it. The tally of 305 on 5 Sept was as follows:

USA 142
Australia 97
UK 30 including 4 from Scotland
The Netherlands 6
Canada 4
Belgium 4
Singapore 2
Denmark 1
Sweden 1
New Zealand 1
South Africa 1
Finland 1
Nevis 1
West Indies 1
Switzerland 1

For those of you that have not yet taken the opportunity to sign, it is not too late to make a difference. For others, don't forget that you might have friends or family that might like to help.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the concerns of people around the world, the US Coast Guard have declared the following Temporary Final Rule to facilitate the scuttling of the Falls of Clyde should negotiations fall through:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary 500-yard moving safety zone around the S/V FALLS OF CLYDE and her tow vessel(s) during transit within the Honolulu Captain of the Port Zone. The safety zone is established at the request of the Hawaii Maritime Center to protect vessels and persons from approaching too close to the dead-ship tow of the S/V FALLS OF CLYDE. Entry of persons or vessels into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

SAFETY ZONE: This safety zone, in U.S. navigable waters within the Honolulu Captain of the Port Zone (See 33 CFR 3.70-10), from the surface of the water to the ocean floor, includes all waters extending 500 yards in all directions from the S/V FALLS OF CLYDE and her tow vessel(s) during transit from the Honolulu Harbor main channel commencing at a line between channel buoys no. 1 and no. 2 to 12 nautical miles off shore of Oahu, HI. This safety zone moves with the S/V FALLS OF CLYDE and her tow vessel(s) while they are traveling and becomes fixed when the S/V FALLS OF CLYDE is anchored, position-keeping, or moored.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m. on September 2, 2008 until 11:59 p.m. on October 2, 2008.

Grim, isn't it! Lets cross fingers that Friends of the Falls of Clyde meet with the success they trying so hard to achieve!

Regards
Mori

[mflapan]

Dear All

The 25th is the day that the Bishop Museum Board will decide whether to give the Falls of Clyde a chance for a future or whether to destroy a 130 year old US National Historic Landmark.

The outlook for the Falls of Clyde appears to be improving, though nothing is certain till the Board meeting.

Bruce McEwan president of the Friends of the Falls of Clyde stated "At the meeting on September 22nd, it was agreed that Bishop Museum would allow the ship to stay at the current berth until she goes to drydock without charge or any change in the lease agreement between Bishop and DOT Harbors Division.

"We have provided Bishop Museum with one of three documents they want by the September 25th Board meeting. I’m working with our insurance broker to get the second one and am waiting for a confirmation of drydock letter from Marisco...

'We are still hoping for the transfer on September 29th...

I am sure that many of you who have been reading the posts on the Falls of Clyde will join me in wishing the Friends of the Falls of Clyde every success for this important day.

The tally for the petition is now over 600.

I will keep you all updated as and when more news comes to hand.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

FALLS OF CLYDE - SAVED!

I just received the following terrific news!

On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 3:57 PM, Chris Woolaway wrote:

Hi Mori, I talked to Blair Collis and this evening the Bishop Museum Board agreed to the proposal that the Friends of FALLS of CLYDE submitted and ownership will be transferred at a signing ceremony Monday Sept.29th at the FALLS with Pipers!. I will be talking to Blair for more of the details. I will send more information as we get it, Mahalo for all your support, Chris

Chris

Thanks to everyone who provided support. Of course, the ship has a long way to go before she is out of trouble. But it is certainly an important first step!

Regards
Mori

[mflapan]

The Falls of Clyde was transferred from the Bishop Museum
to the Friends of the Falls of Clyde on Tuesday 30 September 2008

Jeanie Ainlay attended the ceremony and wrote:

"Just a quick note to let you know that ceremony went well. It was well attended. A bag piper, Scottish dancer and singer entertained us. Of course there was lei giving and hugs. Speeches were made by Bruce McEwan, Ginger Krauss and State Representative Corinne W.L. Ching. Finally I shall be allowed aboard the ship as of to-day. I have not been aboard her since January. I miss her! This will be my 21st year working on her. There are tow lines attached to her bow. That is how close she was to be taken out and scuttled.....We got the ship. This is not the first time she has been saved in the 11th hour. What character she is".

To view photos taken by Kevin Williamson at the handover ceremony go to:
http://www.boatregister.net/FallsOfClyde_Handover_2008-09-30.htm

Thank you to those who contributed to this most excellent outcome.

Regards
Mori

[Butch .H]

Well done. Are you raising funds if so let us know how and when.
Regards
Butch

[mflapan]

Dear Butch and others in this forum

I am not directly involved in the organisation that has saved the vessel. It is to those people involved in Hawaii that credit is really due. Without their rapid response creating the Friends of the Falls of Clyde, and subsequent navigating the negotiations with the Bishop Museum, the ship would not have been saved.

Regarding donations to the Falls of Clyde, I am sure that the Friends of the Falls of Clyde would be only too happy to speak with you. Their new website is at:

http://www.friendsoffallsofclyde.org/home

I notice that they have yet to create the page regarding donations, however, I would suggest that you contact them directly.

I intend to do the same.

Best regards
Mori

[mflapan]

Dear all

You might be interested in the final results of the petition for the Falls of Clyde provided by Ling Ong who is with the Friends of the Falls of Clyde.

Aloha all,
The petition ran from Aug 11 to Oct 3. The final tally is a total of
718 signatures from 23 countries.

Australia 162
Belgium 5
Canada 18
Cyprus 1
Denmark 2
Finland 2
France 4
Germany 4
Hong Kong 1
New Zealand 6
Norway 4
Poland 2
Singapore 2
South Africa 1
Sweden 1
Switzerland 1
Thailand 1
The Netherlands 15
UK 77
USA 392
West Indies 2
Philippines 1
Malaysia 3

The support provided from people all over the world reinforces the assertion that the Falls of Clyde really has an international significance. Thank you all who signed the petition.

Best regards
Mori

[msteeln]

Aloha, this is my first post and it's very urgent.

Mahalo to mflapan for keeping everybody here up on the saga befalling this grand vessel, but there is still major help needed in re-securing the many unique and irreplaceable artifacts that were allowed by the Bishop Museum to be taken and spread accross the states prior to the planned scuttling.

www.friendsoffallsofclyde.org
www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081201/NEWS01/812010334

If you are aware of anything belonging to the FOC, please do what you can to help return them to her.

Thank you!