Dundee’s iconic HMS Unicorn is to close for two months this winter for “urgent” repairs.
The ship – one of the oldest of its kind in the world – will undergo roof repairs to make it wind and watertight.
It means the attraction, docked at City Quay, will be closed from November 21 until mid-January 2023.
The move marks the next stage of the repair and restoration of the ship, which has had more than £160,000 spent on it during 2022.
£1 million to strengthen ship’s structural weaknesses
This has included surveys, a laser scan, structural analysis and a community consultation.
A temporary steel structure will be installed in the ship’s roof to ensure it is wind and watertight for the next five years, until a permanent repair can be done.
More than £1 million is needed in total to perform a series of repairs on HMS Unicorn.
It is then planned to move it to the dry East Graving Dock where it will eventually form the centrepiece of a new Dundee Maritime Heritage Centre.
The Courier previously reported how American entrepreneur and billionaire John Paul DeJoria donated £20,000 towards the fundraising efforts.
Charity the Unicorn Preservation Society is continuing to raise funds towards the project.
Matthew Bellhouse Moran, museum director, says the survey carried out in the summer – which gained more than 2,400 responses – showed the Unicorn is still “extremely valued” by Dundonians.
He said: “There is much local affection for the ship – she has been part and parcel of lives in Dundee for as long as people can remember.
“There is a strong desire to save the ship from going into complete disrepair, with a real recognition of its historical significance.
“Given HMS Unicorn is almost 200 years old, the condition of the ship is good, however there is an urgent need to make the ship wind and waterproof so no further damage can be done internally.”
Conversation