HMS Surprise to close, requiring $25m costs
Discussion
Captain Jack Aubrey won't be happy. And it will screw up a sequel.
Facebook said:
Update from the San Diego Martitime Museum on Surprise.
I am writing to share that the Museum has recently made a difficult long-term decision regarding the vessel s future.
After extensive professional evaluation and careful consideration by the Board and staff leadership, the Museum has determined that keeping HMS Surprise in our fleet is not financially viable. The cost required to bring the ship up to the standard our visitors, crew, and community deserve is no longer feasible nor responsible.
Earlier this year, the Museum brought in a professional marine surveyor to carefully inspect our historic fleet and the resources required to properly steward them. The cost to sufficiently restore HMS Surprise is estimated to exceed $25,000,000. The Museum simply does not have the resources for this, and it would significantly limit our ability to care for the rest of the collection and advance our educational mission.
Therefore, the decision has been made to permanently close HMS Surprise to the public on August 1, 2027. We will be announcing this to our museum community and the public in the coming month.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly. For more than 20 years, the Museum has devoted considerable resources to maintain HMS Surprise as a vital part of the Museum s historic vessel collection. She has played an extraordinary role in bringing maritime history to life, inspiring countless visitors, students, and supporters over the years. Before she is closed to the public, the Museum will be appropriately honoring and celebrating her over the next year.
I do want to be clear that this decision is final, and the Museum will not be launching a fundraising campaign to reverse it. The Museum staff is exploring options for her next chapter, including but not limited to potential entertainment industry opportunities, among other solutions. We will share updates when available.
We deeply appreciate the recent support you have shown HMS Surprise. However, I understand that this information may change how you wish to direct your donation. The funds can be redirected to another vessel, our education programs, or to the Museum s general operating fund. I also understand that you may choose to have your donation refunded and am happy to assist with that as well. My office number is below if you need to reach me via phone.
Thank you again for your support and interest in our work.
Sincerely,
Kate
Kate O Neill
Director of Development & Membership
Maritime Museum of San Diego
https://sdmaritime.org/visit/the-ships/hms-surpris...I am writing to share that the Museum has recently made a difficult long-term decision regarding the vessel s future.
After extensive professional evaluation and careful consideration by the Board and staff leadership, the Museum has determined that keeping HMS Surprise in our fleet is not financially viable. The cost required to bring the ship up to the standard our visitors, crew, and community deserve is no longer feasible nor responsible.
Earlier this year, the Museum brought in a professional marine surveyor to carefully inspect our historic fleet and the resources required to properly steward them. The cost to sufficiently restore HMS Surprise is estimated to exceed $25,000,000. The Museum simply does not have the resources for this, and it would significantly limit our ability to care for the rest of the collection and advance our educational mission.
Therefore, the decision has been made to permanently close HMS Surprise to the public on August 1, 2027. We will be announcing this to our museum community and the public in the coming month.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly. For more than 20 years, the Museum has devoted considerable resources to maintain HMS Surprise as a vital part of the Museum s historic vessel collection. She has played an extraordinary role in bringing maritime history to life, inspiring countless visitors, students, and supporters over the years. Before she is closed to the public, the Museum will be appropriately honoring and celebrating her over the next year.
I do want to be clear that this decision is final, and the Museum will not be launching a fundraising campaign to reverse it. The Museum staff is exploring options for her next chapter, including but not limited to potential entertainment industry opportunities, among other solutions. We will share updates when available.
We deeply appreciate the recent support you have shown HMS Surprise. However, I understand that this information may change how you wish to direct your donation. The funds can be redirected to another vessel, our education programs, or to the Museum s general operating fund. I also understand that you may choose to have your donation refunded and am happy to assist with that as well. My office number is below if you need to reach me via phone.
Thank you again for your support and interest in our work.
Sincerely,
Kate
Kate O Neill
Director of Development & Membership
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Interesting. I wonder when that was done and what it cost? Apart from whether it was a good idea anyway , it sounds as if money that needed to be spent on boring but essential stuff, like the hull, may have been frittered away on the visible bits .
But realistically how practical is it to keep a ship like this afloat for 60 years+? Must get to the point where you might as well build a new replica if there is demand for it.
But realistically how practical is it to keep a ship like this afloat for 60 years+? Must get to the point where you might as well build a new replica if there is demand for it.
mac96 said:
Interesting. I wonder when that was done and what it cost? Apart from whether it was a good idea anyway , it sounds as if money that needed to be spent on boring but essential stuff, like the hull, may have been frittered away on the visible bits .
But realistically how practical is it to keep a ship like this afloat for 60 years+? Must get to the point where you might as well build a new replica if there is demand for it.
Old boats last better if kept afloat (and looked after). One of the problems facing Cutty Sark was that she'd been taken out of the water, her timbers had therefore shrunk, and thus all her iron framework got damp and rusted away. You'd think people looking after her would have known this would happen.But realistically how practical is it to keep a ship like this afloat for 60 years+? Must get to the point where you might as well build a new replica if there is demand for it.
I think it'll be a great shame to see Surprise go, replica or not. Assuming it was a good replica.
Not too sure why anyone would get precious about this. It was never intended to be a completely faithful replica. From the outset it was designed to house a restaurant and tavern. 18th century sailors might well have thought that A Good Idea, but it certainly has nothing to do with historical accuracy. Sounds a bit theme park.
lufbramatt said:
Meanwhile in the UK it was announced yesterday that HMS President (HMS Saxifrage), a former Q-ship submarine hunter and one of the few remaining WW1 Royal Navy ships is going to be scrapped, which is a real shame. Was moored up on the Thames for years in the centre of London.
I wonder if the Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth could take it on? They're very active.Simpo Two said:
lufbramatt said:
Meanwhile in the UK it was announced yesterday that HMS President (HMS Saxifrage), a former Q-ship submarine hunter and one of the few remaining WW1 Royal Navy ships is going to be scrapped, which is a real shame. Was moored up on the Thames for years in the centre of London.
I wonder if the Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth could take it on? They're very active.https://x.com/TheSubHunter1/status/207805670177395...
FourWheelDrift said:
It's never too late until the gas axe is fired up. I suspect it's lost too much of its original/WW1 fittings and structure to be of significant value as a museum ship even if it wasn't rotting out, the RN removed more or less everything above the deck when converting it for reserve use after WW2.I think it has gone the same way as it's sister ship HMS Chrysanthemum, rotting at the water level. Same thing happened to the preserved WWI Russian cruiser Aurora and the Soviets cut it all off below the water line and welded on a new hull.
You can see quite a rust line at the water level here.
You can see quite a rust line at the water level here.
FourWheelDrift said:
I think it has gone the same way as it's sister ship HMS Chrysanthemum, rotting at the water level. Same thing happened to the preserved WWI Russian cruiser Aurora and the Soviets cut it all off below the water line and welded on a new hull.
You can see quite a rust line at the water level here.
I remember HMS Chrysanthemum being moored up near Rochester bridge on the river Medway. As a kid I thought it was really cool that it was used in the speedboat chase in one of the Indiana Jones films.You can see quite a rust line at the water level here.
hidetheelephants said:
Plate thinning at the waterline is normal, anyone professing surprise at that has never been near ship maintenance as it starts happening more or less as soon as a ship is launched; it's as routine as male pattern balding.
Like I said, just like Chrysanthemum, it spends decades in freshwater on the Thames, then gets moved to salt water at Chatham (Chrysanthemum was at Tilbury in brackish water), nothing is done and it's ruined in 4 years.Simpo Two said:
How much did they spend on that silly paint job?
HMS President owners paid nothing "Co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW with Chelsea College of Art and Design and Liverpool Biennial in association with HMS President and Tate Liverpool. Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Goethe-Institut London."https://www.biennial.com/project/tobias-rehberger-...
FourWheelDrift said:
Simpo Two said:
How much did they spend on that silly paint job?
HMS President owners paid nothing "Co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW with Chelsea College of Art and Design and Liverpool Biennial in association with HMS President and Tate Liverpool. Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Goethe-Institut London."https://www.biennial.com/project/tobias-rehberger-...
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