My brother has suggested that virtually none of Nelson's "Victory" is original, on-going repair programs over the years having replaced the bulk of the structure. Removal of now-failing 1970's repairs from the "Great Britain" will involve removal of more original material. "Restoration" of a ship in the state of the "City of Adelaide" would cost more than a new-build copy, and destroy more of the remaining structure. To make her sailable and passenger-friendly (even for enclosed harbour waters, never mind open sea), would involve modern additions that would inevitably compromise the authenticity of the completed vessel.

Nevertheless, I would rather see the ship preserved in its complete state than see it broken up, however forensic a deconstruction is stipulated in the demolition contract. The contract proposals were worded so that complete removal from the slip to a floating barge is a possibility, open to either the Sunderland or Adelaide groups interested in taking on the ship for their own purposes.

Ross