LCT - LST - Landing Craft

[Toner]

When I visited HMS Plymouth back in 1999 / 2000, (I was a volunteer, deck ape, tour guide and shipkeeper when she was in Glasgow)I'm pretty sure Landfall was berthed alongside, although she wasn't known as that. She's had a colourful history since WW2 and it would be a shame for her to be lost.

 

Are you going to take donations?

[ferrettkitt]

=The Historic Warships Birkenhead visitor attraction sadly closed on the 5th February 2006 and she is now owned by Peel Ports and remains stored in Birkenhead Docks facing an uncertain future. Peel Ports wish to have the ship sold and removed if at all possible. In 2010 the landing craft's condition became even more precarious after years of neglect and she is now in great danger of sinking. So time is running out for this historic landing craft. She is small enough to be plinthed out of the water on display for the short term with a longer term option to restore her to operational condition for use as a historic ship and living history experiences. But time is running out for her and she must be saved.

 

 

 

I'm presuming that Peel Ports is part of Peel Holdings who own amongst other things the Manchester Ship Canal and the Trafford Centre (shops lots off). If they want it moved for redevelopment maybe thats a possible negotiating tool for finding somewhere to moore it?

[Jack]

I'm presuming that Peel Ports is part of Peel Holdings who own amongst other things the Manchester Ship Canal and the Trafford Centre (shops lots off). If they want it moved for redevelopment maybe thats a possible negotiating tool for finding somewhere to moore it?

 

Yes it is owned by Peel Ports and they want it out of the 'way'.

[amamoz]

 

Are you going to take donations?

 

 

The answer is definitely YES.

But since this will be a huge project, I'm currently in the middle of securing some big funding.

If I can't achieve that, then I will upset too many "small investors/donators".

So, once I have some real big funding, AND if I can get hold of the current craft-owners, then the idea is to setup a trust/company, where finances will be dealt with more seriously.

 

If anyone knows about "other" big funding/donations/finances... please let me know, as we will really need it!

 

Thanks for your support.

Luc

[mike65]

If anyone knows about "other" big funding/donations/finances... please let me know, as we will really need it!

 

Thanks for your support.

Luc

 

IF this is going to happen it maybe worth speaking to those involved with Vulcan to The Skies (XH558). After all they have done and are doing something similar to what needs to be done.

Hopefully they will be hepful enough to offer some guidance.

 

If this gets pulled off will be having restoration holidays? I can scrape paint and rust as well as the next person and having a Land Rover know everything possible about leaks (except how to stop them)

Is it going to be A&E 2019 - The Invasion?

 

Mike

[Alex van de Wetering]

Luc,

 

It's a huge project indeed, but definately worth it. I am really enthusiastic about your plan to go for it!

 

It might be worth contacting Hawthorne Leslie shipbuilders as I understand they originally built LCT 7074. According to a thread on ww2talk forum, they had a look at the ship some time ago with the idea of creating a D-day experience around it, but backed out in the end due to the amount of money needed in their view. However, if someone else takes on the project, maybe they are willing sponsor the project.....maybe even with the recovery or with reproducing parts.

 

Alex

 

Edited August 6, 2010 by Alex van de Wetering

[mike65]

Luc,

 

It's a huge project indeed, but definately worth it. I am really enthusiastic about your plan to go for it!

 

It might be worth contacting Hawthorne Leslie shipbuilders as I understand they originally built LCT 7074. According to a thread on ww2talk forum, they had a look at the ship some time ago with the idea of creating a D-day experience around it, but backed out in the end due to the amount of money needed in their view. However, if someone else takes on the project, maybe they are willing sponsor the project.....maybe even with the recovery or with reproducing parts.

 

Alex

 

 

Been looking on Google.

Hawthorn Leslie was a merger of 2 compnaies (locomotives and ships)

Would appear that they merged and diversified over the years (all according to Wimipedia)

Locomotive section sold of in the 1930s and ship building merged with Swan Hunder and Vickers in the 1970s.

In 1993 the company was subject to a take over by Vodafone, they had moved into phones by then (some divesification)

Company kept going but not with ship building.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorn_Leslie_and_Company

 

Could be chasing a dead end there, like with many of the old names.

Mind you Vodafone have loads of money, just need a sympathetic person there.

 

Mike

Edited August 6, 2010 by mike65

[Jack]

Luc - you have a lot of support from us here!

[amamoz]

Luc - you have a lot of support from us here!

 

I know that very well.

I wish I could have started this much earlier whilst the craft was still in good condition, but I have a "can do" attitude, and will do my utmost to keep you all informed as we go along.

 

I don't know yet how to thank you all, because since I've started this thread, I knew that the idea was great, but putting it in practise will take a life-time, and I'm surely up for it!

 

"Let there be built great ships which can cast up on a beach in any weather large numbers of the heaviest tanks." Sir Winston Churchill, July 7th 1940.

[R Cubed]

I understood the one at pounds was cut up in 2008, CW posted pictures but they have now gone off the thread.

 

Have not been past there for a few months but pretty sure its still there......

[GoranWC51]

There might just be a LCI, or similar, moored in Stockholm, and used as an office boat.

 

These pic's were taken through a car window in Jan 2010. I passed by the ship today, and it's still there. I'll try to go down to the docks this weekend and take better photographs.

 

Goran N

 

Here´s the reason I think it might be a former landing craft.

[amamoz]

Hi all,

 

Good news and bad news...

 

:embarrassed: Bad news is that they have started dismantling the LST... I really couldn't believe it when they told me. There might still be a chance in getting some artefacts... :embarrassed: If anyone knows about other LST's in Europe, please let me know...

 

:-) Good news is that I'm very close in acquiring the LCT in Birkenhead. Of course, I need to find a way who & how could help in getting it to a berthing, but for that I need to find a berthing-place.

So, this is an appeal to all of you who might know

1. a berthing place?

2. who could transport a LCT?

3. who could give me some quotes of potential costs?

 

THANKS.

[amamoz]

Hi,

 

I'm looking for the weight of an LCT (Mk III). Anyone have an idea where I can find this information?

 

Thanks

[Adrian Barrell]

Wikipedia has a little, though as always with wiki, it may be total rubbish! It gives a gross weight but looking at the other models specs, I would estimate about 120T empty.

[N.O.S.]

Best bet might be to make contact with a 'marine surveyor' whatever the ship salvage assessors are called - no doubt there will be a bible somewhere with all this info in for salvage purposes. Try Coastguard for a contact maybe?

[amamoz]

Current Status:

 

- creation of a non-profit organisation started;

- creation of a website started;

- search for possible space for a "static" museum started;

- search for possible landing craft for sale started;

- search for funding ongoing;

 

Who could offer their help as fundraiser? :-)

 

THANKS

[Jack]

Hi all,

 

Good news and bad news...

 

:embarrassed: Bad news is that they have started dismantling the LST... I really couldn't believe it when they told me.

 

Luc - are you able to give us the facts that they have told you like, why and when etc etc?

[amamoz]

Luc - are you able to give us the facts that they have told you like, why and when etc etc?

 

After some investigation, I figured out that the LST is located on the Harry Pounds Shipyard in Portsmouth. The Tipner Regeneration Company Ltd has plans to redevelop the entire area. Not being able to find a contact in this company I got some help from a local journalist who got hold of the company's director. He himself has been contacted over the last couple of years by several organisations also trying to acquire & restore the LST, but none of them succeeded.

So the director had to go on with his project and as such told the journalist that dismantling had started and that it seems impossible to even visit the current LST because of HSSE regulations.

Strangely enough I spoke to another person after this conversation, and he told me that he made a trip on a boat (close to the LST) only a couple of weeks ago, and he did not see any dismantling going on...

The journalist was told not to give any contact details of this director...

I told the journalist that I would still like to get hold of the director, as I might be able to get some artefacts from the LST (anker, portholes, ramp, engines, propellors, ...) but to no prevail... as those items would really look very nice in any museum...

I have also send an email to this Regeneration Company but still no reply.

Trying to get hold of the Harry Pounds Scrapyard company seems to extremely difficult as well, as I thought that they might "donate" any scrap from such a wonderful vessel.

Sad but that is the story...

[ferrettkitt]

Reading between the lines it would seem that they have been messed about before and have now taken the decision to get rid or put people off by saying that its being dismantled.

 

The only thing that will stop it is the green stuff being wafted directly under said directors nose.

[mike65]

Reading between the lines it would seem that they have been messed about before and have now taken the decision to get rid or put people off by saying that its being dismantled.

 

The only thing that will stop it is the green stuff being wafted directly under said directors nose.

 

That would sound about right to me aswell.

As I work on the design consultancy side or the building industry I know there is very little happening development wise. Most developers are sitting on land untill they have signed up secure tenants prior to commiting any work.

 

The LST has a scrap value, but it is not worth that to a developer, as they would have to pay for dismantling and removal.

If you know the name of the company you can generally find their addres and management details on the internet.

If it is being dismantled an removed it is probably under a sub-contract to company that specialise in this kind of work. How many are there likly to be?

If this is the case that company will generally have rights to the material removed ie: the LST is theirs as long as they remove it in a certain time. Find this company (if it is happening) and they mayge in a position to help.

 

Assuming that nothibng is happening, somebody in the area can probably assist here, the only real option is to secure funding, a relocation spot and a firm removal proposal.

Once you have this you go and camp on the company's door step untill they see you.

 

Apparently they are based at the site.

http://www.tipner.co.uk/index.html

 

Company set up specifically for the site. Now just need to find who is behind it.

Were seeking comments on draft scheme inr June.

 

Will see if I can dig anything else up

 

Mike

[mike65]

Been on the Planning Portal.

Complete section on Tipner Redevelopment.

Awaiting a decision at end of year on new motorwaY JUNCTION.

Seems this is key to the development.

http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/8781.html

 

No clue to is actually behind the scheme as such.

But some of the documents list some of the companies working on the scheme.

There are also minutes from residenys meetings.

Has names of local councillors who maybe worth contacting if you still want to pursue this one.

http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/media/Tipner_Residents_Meeting_Minutes_19-05-10.pdf

 

As you would expect this development has a big backing from Portsmouth City Council.

 

Portsmouth would actially make a fitting home for a restored craft.

Maybe get some locals on our side, especially if it can remain in Portsmouth.

 

Mike

[Jack]

Great work Mike!

[amamoz]

Indeed great information Mike, thanks.

 

In regards to the LST, this is now taking a different dimension, I might not have the bandwidth to pursue discussions locally in Portsmouth. Most of my time I'm based either at work, which is close to Heathrow, and some time in France...

Would there be somebody on this site who might know people locally to take this a bit further?

 

Thanks

[BIGREDONE]

All,

 

You may wish to view these sites re other parties involment with ex HMS Stalker.

 

Paul

 

http://flagdeck.com/notices.html

 

http://www.maritimesteamrestorationtrust.co.uk/home/home.html

 

http://www.maritimesteamrestorationtrust.co.uk/projects/vessel_history.html

[amamoz]

All,

 

You may wish to view these sites re other parties involment with ex HMS Stalker.

 

Paul

 

http://flagdeck.com/notices.html

 

http://www.maritimesteamrestorationtrust.co.uk/home/home.html

 

http://www.maritimesteamrestorationtrust.co.uk/projects/vessel_history.html

 

Yes, I know the site, I've started a thread, but there is no one replying. It looks like that site has no recent information anymore.