A CHRONIC shortage of funds to preserve the nation’s historic ships has again raised the possibility that Unicorn could leave its long-time home in Dundee harbour.

The Commons culture committee this week said an inadequate level of funding was being procured by Britain’s decaying vessels and that the nation’s maritime heritage was under threat.

This has led one of the Unicorn Preservation Society’s governors, Lieutenant Commander Roderick Stewart, to speak out about a lack of cash arriving to support ships such as the Unicorn.

The Unicorn is deteriorating badly and requires significant investment if its authenticity is to be maintained.

In the absence of such funding, Lieutenant Commander Stewart said the society would like to see the vessel kept in the same location under temporary protection for the next 10 years.

The long-term goal—to relocate the ship to a dry dock—has raised the prospect of a move away from Dundee.

That would require significant financial input. In November, 2002, society chairman the Earl of Dalhousie warned the Unicorn could be lost to the city if a £1 million public appeal was not successful.

Lieutenant Commander Stewart insisted a move would be the last resort but intimated that, if funding to secure its future came with conditions of a move, the society would have to put the ship first.

“There is no question the ship is being hugely under-funded in relation to its international importance,” he said.

“The society is a charity and receives remarkably little government funding.

“We have been involved with the Heritage Lottery Fund for a number of years but in the meantime the ship is deteriorating.

“We know the long-term goal is at least 10 years away so we are working with a Scottish company to design a fabric to protect against rainwater in the short term.

“This would alter the appearance of the ship for the first time in years but we are determined to keep it open to the public in as wide a way as possible.”

The society is looking to amass £60,000 to buy the cover and has lined up events to raise funds. The public are being asked to help and anyone who would like to donate should contact Lieutenant Commander Stewart on 01382 320250 or 07703 192550.