A plea has been made for Dundee’s great and good to stop the city from losing part of its maritime heritage.
Tens of thousands of people passed through the doors of the former DP&L building on East Dock Street, with children marvelling at models of the SS Dundee, MV Arbroath and SS Perth.
And part of that legacy of DP&L is to go under the hammer in Angus on May 30, with six fine model vessels and an array of maritime artwork charting almost two centuries of world travel up for sale.
But Jack Reilly, 72, who wrote a well-received book about the Caledon Shipyard, has pleaded for councillors to intervene before the sale at Taylor’s Auction Rooms in Montrose.
Mr Reilly wants to see more focus on this integral part of Dundee’s past and said DP&L’s shipping and commercial businesses gave a “lifeline to many Dundee families”.
“My surprise then turned to shock to read that the models and other historical articles are to be put up to auction and likely to be lost to the city,” he added.
“I appeal to Lord Provost Bob Duncan and other city councillors to press a case to consider a long-term loan of the ship models for displaying in our local museums.”
Mr Duncan said he too would be very keen to see the items retained in Dundee in some way.