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City of Adelaide clipper ship occupied by campaigner City of Adelaide clipper ship occupied by campaigner
(about 9 hours later)
A man has occupied the world's oldest surviving clipper ship in protest at plans to move it to Australia.A man has occupied the world's oldest surviving clipper ship in protest at plans to move it to Australia.
Peter Maddison, a former councillor from Sunderland, held a similar protest in 2009 when the City of Adelaide was threatened with demolition.Peter Maddison, a former councillor from Sunderland, held a similar protest in 2009 when the City of Adelaide was threatened with demolition.
The vessel, built in Sunderland in 1864, has lain on a Scottish slipway for more than a decade, but is due to be moved to Adelaide, Australia, soon.The vessel, built in Sunderland in 1864, has lain on a Scottish slipway for more than a decade, but is due to be moved to Adelaide, Australia, soon.
Mr Maddison wants the ship returned to its home port.Mr Maddison wants the ship returned to its home port.
The campaigner, chairman of the Sunderland City of Adelaide Recovery Fund (Scarf), together with secretary Allyn Walton and a documentary crew, boarded the vessel under cover of darkness on Sunday evening.The campaigner, chairman of the Sunderland City of Adelaide Recovery Fund (Scarf), together with secretary Allyn Walton and a documentary crew, boarded the vessel under cover of darkness on Sunday evening.
Isolation hospitalIsolation hospital
Mr Maddison, who named his daughter after the Adelaide, said he had enough provisions for a "sustained occupation". Speaking from the ship, Mr Maddison, who named his daughter after the Adelaide, told BBC Scotland he had enough provisions for a "sustained occupation".
He said: "I think that the very, very best place, and the only location where the ship can be sustainable into the long term future, is back in Sunderland where she was built.
"I absolutely believe that the vast majority of people in Sunderland, including the entire city council, would very much welcome the ship returning to Sunderland.
"We need the work and we need the jobs far, far more than the Australians need another tourist attraction."
The vessel, later renamed The Carrick, is five years older than the Cutty Sark and voyaged annually from London to Adelaide with passengers and a cargo of wool.The vessel, later renamed The Carrick, is five years older than the Cutty Sark and voyaged annually from London to Adelaide with passengers and a cargo of wool.
Its sailing days ended in 1893 and the ship was purchased by Southampton Corporation for use as a sanatorium and floating isolation hospital following a cholera outbreak.Its sailing days ended in 1893 and the ship was purchased by Southampton Corporation for use as a sanatorium and floating isolation hospital following a cholera outbreak.
The vessel has been on a slipway in Ayrshire since 1992 while a debate continued about its future.The vessel has been on a slipway in Ayrshire since 1992 while a debate continued about its future.
Best climate
In 2010 the Scottish government named a group from Australia as the preferred option to move and restore the ship.In 2010 the Scottish government named a group from Australia as the preferred option to move and restore the ship.
But Mr Maddison, who has been involved for 12 years in the campaign to bring the ship back to Sunderland as a major heritage attraction, said: "The Australians intend not to site the ship in Adelaide, but in Port Adelaide, some distance away and with little or nothing to offer tourists. Mr Maddison, who has been involved for 12 years in the campaign to bring the ship back to Sunderland as a major heritage attraction, said Britain offered the best conditions for maintaining a vessel such as the Adelaide.
"The port already has in its possession some ships of historical merit which show signs of neglect and the Adelaide would fare no better. He added: "The very best climate to maintain a ship of this age and fragility is in the northern hemisphere.
'Would be cherished' "If this ship is transported, if she survives the massive journey through the southern ocean to Australia without breaking up, once she is down there she will bake under that hot dry sun.
"The damp and wet climate in Britain has preserved the timbers, laid down in Sunderland in 1864, so far. "The wooden planks will warp, shrivel and dry out. They will break the iron frames and there will not be anything left of our beautiful Adelaide within two years of being in Australia."
"The Australian climate is not so suitable, the timbers would quickly dry out, presenting a fire hazard, and the metal framework warp beyond repair. No-one from Historic Scotland was available for comment.
"I believe neglect of the ship is inevitable if she is relocated to Australia.
"At least she would be cherished and looked after when we get her home to Sunderland."
No-one from Heritage Scotland, which is responsible for the vessel, was available for comment.