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 With
Warships you only get one chance to save them, many people
wish that the old Ark Royal had been saved, but people left
it too late and she went off to the scrap merchants.
This is not a fate that I feel should befall HMS Fearless.
As the first vessel of her type ever to have served in the
Royal Navy this should be reason enough to see her
preserved. Then you have to look at some of the other facts,
36 years in service, the last steam powered surface vessel,
out living her younger sister, Falklands Amphibious Command
Vessel and the list goes on. The size and configuration of
this impressive vessel lends her to a change of role as far
as her future away from the navy is concerned and with this
in mind it is hoped that she can provide a new generation
with an insight into what was a major part of Britain's
Naval Warfare History and a changing point for the Royal
Navy, the senior service. |
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The Aim is to acquire the Fearless
from the Navy and to convert her to become a
floating museum. At present we have many displays
within various museums around the country which
present items and memories from the Falklands War,
but we do not have a dedicated museum for people
to go and see the full picture.
The Fearless would be converted to provide a
resting place for many of the weapons and vehicles
used during the War. With the use of interactive
displays to portray the full story on what was one
of the most important ships during the war.
Should the right mooring be available I would
estimate that this display would attract over
200,000 visitors per year. This would be the first
time a ship has provided such an extensive focal
feature, where not only the naval side of history
is portrayed but a full display of a land war as
well.
As I have said Fearless lends herself to the role
due to her extensive vehicle decks, dock and
flight deck. These would provide the main areas
for the displays with wardrooms providing the
interactive side of the display. This is a venture
which will create many jobs within the main growth
industry of the last 100 years, tourism.
We need to raise money
for the ship, her re-fit, display items,
interactive displays, running costs, moorings and
much much more,
SO YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
The ship would be run
as a charitable trust so keeping the whole display
as part of a national gallery.
We are looking for any
major corporations who wish to sponsor this worthy
cause. |
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LATEST
CAMPAIGN NEWS |
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The last two
weeks have been more than hectic with over twelve hundred
phone calls and trips to different parts of the UK.
The trip to Portsmouth on Friday was well worthwhile with
the first interview being with Radio Solent from the
Explosions Museum which turned out better than expected as
my interview was followed by an interview with Captain
Larken, his rank during the Falklands, now retired, who was
asked his feelings on the campaign. His reply was that it
had his support and was a fitting tribute to a fine ship.
This was furthered with a poll run by the station which gave
the public supporting the idea by 99% in favour.
We then quickly
moved on to the round tower where Kevin Porter, ex baby
bunting on Fearless during 82, joined the campaign in front
of the Meridian TV cameras. This went out on the lunchtime
news and was repeated on the evening.
The final one
for the day was a visit to the Portsmouth TV studio for a
live broadcast.
An eventful day
with some very positive results.
The press are
pulling in on the story well with news broadcasts going out
to the Falklands on the World Service, BFPO channel 2 Radio,
BBC Radio Devon, Peruvian Newspapers 'Penguin News' which
goes to the Falklands and many more. |
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We have had two offers of
berths which at the moment are
tentative but, never the less have been positive
reaction to the campaign. One in the Gosport area
and one in Southampton. We have made contact with
a number of alternative sites though the aim is to
keep her at home if possible.
Portsmouth City Council whilst they have no spare
money seem to like the idea of the ship staying in
her home port, though no official statement at
present. |
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We have had another offer of
a berth as with all proposals at
present we have to evaluate the possibilities and
look for the best option for the long term success
of the project. The offer at present have to be
looked into but it has come from Portland Ports
Limited. This one time Naval Port is now a
commercial Port and is being very heavily
developed.
Alright I know we all have our memories of
Portland, the one place one the South Coast that
always seemed to get the rain as soon as we
arrived for sea trials.
It is a good harbour but would mean a lot of
promotion to get people to come to see the Ship.
Please remember if you have
any thoughts on anything on this site to let us
know.
info@hmsfearless.co.uk |
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SIR
JOHN NOTT
Letter
dated 11th April 02
Dear Colin, I would be very happy for you to
use my name in connection with your plans to save HMS
Fearless as a museum of the Falklands War. This seems to me
to be an admirable objective and I wish you every success
for such a brave and worthwhile venture.
With Kind Regards
Yours Sincerely
John Nott
Read His New Book and
bid on our copy! |
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Would you be willing
to give some of your spare time to helping to
putting her into shape once we have her ? If so
let us know what you can offer and expertise so we
can data base all those willing for this cause.
colin@hmsfearless.co.uk |
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Should
you have anything from the War that you would wish
to contribute, from personal artefacts such as
photographs, to museum
pieces please let us know a.s.a.p..
colin@hmsfearless.co.uk |
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