Ex HMAS Curlew needs your help!
Donation protected
20 years ago one of the most important ships serving in the Royal Australian Navy appeared to "vanish"...until now. Hidden away in Tasmania the last wooden Australian Warship is still in existence.
Curlew is a "ton" class minesweeper later to become Australia s first mine hunter. Built in 1953. The ship has served both the Royal Navy and thence the Royal Australian Navy with distinction. Literally a "time capsule" the ship is making ready to serve again but help is now urgently required.
Many have been brought together due to this old girl, an irreplaceable part of maritime and naval history spanning both the UK and Australia yet due to circumstances now beyond my control things for the ship are now looking grim and I am faced with a heartbreaking decision..she has benefitted so many yet has caused problems for others not of their fault and has become a problem and burden which needs to be addressed.
My own business has suffered loss and I have caused loss to others protecting his ship which is all important..but now time is running short and things cannot continue.
A simple task has become a complex one..and due to mechanical failure and delays moving Curlew to a safe port away from Tasmania is imperative. There is money owed now due to works looking after her and the bills are growing..
Her scrap value is very high and I am under enormous pressure to order this and "remove a problem" but this is not the right way!
She needs to be preserved and be available for all to see and appreciate plus finally be able to provide community benefit.
Without help..we cannot do that.
And so now it is time to ask for some serious help..
To assist with moving costs from Tasmania to any mainland port and subsidize the costs of fuel and approved tugs.
To assist in settling bills long overdue which continue to increase.
And finally to create something that will endure long after many have gone.
Monies raised will be paid directly to providers and not to me, as owner. This is not a profit making venture .all I have done is tried to save the ship and that is what I will continue to do.
I cannot do this now on my own..family and equipment failure have placed me in an untenable position. It is not right to expect people not to be paid for services nor cause problems with development which does benefit an area without a warship that has no future there.
Curlew is the last of two Ton Class ships in original configuration and is not too far gone and now she needs to leave yesterday.
Curlew is a "ton" class minesweeper later to become Australia s first mine hunter. Built in 1953. The ship has served both the Royal Navy and thence the Royal Australian Navy with distinction. Literally a "time capsule" the ship is making ready to serve again but help is now urgently required.
Many have been brought together due to this old girl, an irreplaceable part of maritime and naval history spanning both the UK and Australia yet due to circumstances now beyond my control things for the ship are now looking grim and I am faced with a heartbreaking decision..she has benefitted so many yet has caused problems for others not of their fault and has become a problem and burden which needs to be addressed.
My own business has suffered loss and I have caused loss to others protecting his ship which is all important..but now time is running short and things cannot continue.
A simple task has become a complex one..and due to mechanical failure and delays moving Curlew to a safe port away from Tasmania is imperative. There is money owed now due to works looking after her and the bills are growing..
Her scrap value is very high and I am under enormous pressure to order this and "remove a problem" but this is not the right way!
She needs to be preserved and be available for all to see and appreciate plus finally be able to provide community benefit.
Without help..we cannot do that.
And so now it is time to ask for some serious help..
To assist with moving costs from Tasmania to any mainland port and subsidize the costs of fuel and approved tugs.
To assist in settling bills long overdue which continue to increase.
And finally to create something that will endure long after many have gone.
Monies raised will be paid directly to providers and not to me, as owner. This is not a profit making venture .all I have done is tried to save the ship and that is what I will continue to do.
I cannot do this now on my own..family and equipment failure have placed me in an untenable position. It is not right to expect people not to be paid for services nor cause problems with development which does benefit an area without a warship that has no future there.
Curlew is the last of two Ton Class ships in original configuration and is not too far gone and now she needs to leave yesterday.
Organizer
Kris Mitchell
Organizer
Skennars Head NSW
