HMS Unicorn, one of the oldest ships in the world still afloat, has secured nearly half a million pounds to support its long-term preservation.
The Unicorn Preservation Society has been awarded over £471,000 in grants from The Northwood Charitable Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, marking a significant step forward in safeguarding the ship’s future.
The funds will be allocated to an ambitious £26 million initiative, dubbed Project Safe Haven, which was unveiled last year. This project aims to relocate HMS Unicorn from its current berth in Victoria Dock, Dundee, to the East Graving Dock. The move will position the ship as the centrepiece of the proposed Dundee Maritime Heritage Centre, a new cultural landmark intended to celebrate the city's rich maritime history.
Built in 1824, HMS Unicorn is one of the last surviving examples of a wooden warship from the Royal Navy. Its preservation is considered vital not only for its historical significance but also for its potential to attract tourism and educational opportunities to the area.
The move to the East Graving Dock is seen as a critical step in ensuring the ship's structural stability and enhancing public accessibility.
Project Safe Haven also includes plans to develop a new visitor centre that is hoped to be open by the next decade.
The initiative is expected to generate significant interest and support from both local communities and visitors from further afield, boosting Dundee's profile as a hub for heritage and culture.
The Unicorn Preservation Society continues to work diligently to raise the remaining funds needed for the project, with hopes of making the vision for HMS Unicorn’s future a reality.
The successful realisation of Project Safe Haven would ensure that HMS Unicorn remains a cherished part of Dundee’s maritime legacy for generations to come.
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