Category: ships

SS Great Britain Launches Fundraiser to Complete Museum Renovation Project

SS Great Britain Launches Fundraiser to Complete Museum Renovation Project

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The SS Great Britain Trust is looking to raise the final £180,000 over the next six weeks to help complete the major reinvention project of the museum, which lies next to the historic ship in the Floating Harbour. On 23 February, the old Dockyard Museum closed to make way for a refreshed museum scheduled to open in July 2026. This will bring to life the remarkable stories of the passengers and crew who travelled and worked aboard the SS Great Britain. Alongside the revamped museum there will be a new community hub, a safe and accessible space for local groups to gather, research, and host workshops.  

With £1.3m in investment already secured, the Trust are calling on visitors, local businesses, supporters worldwide, and the people of Bristol to get involved and help make the new museum a reality. The Dockyard Museum is being redesigned as an immersive experience focused on the “untold stories” of passengers who travelled aboard the SS Great Britain to destinations including New York, India and the Falkland Islands. The Trust has said that the “much-needed makeover” will “reveal stories from more of the passengers on board the SS Great Britain, but it will also allow today’s audiences to resonate with her history in an entirely new way”.

Further details on how to donate can be found here: All Hands On Deck – SS Great Britain

Saving Basuto: Canal & River Trust Launch Crowdfunding Appeal to Save Historic Clyde Puffer

Saving Basuto: Canal & River Trust Launch Crowdfunding Appeal to Save Historic Clyde Puffer

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The Canal & River Trust (CRT) have launched a Crowdfunding Appeal for an urgent conservation project to save the Clyde Puffer Basuto, one of the UK’s most unique and historically important vessels.

Built in 1902, Basuto played a vital role in industrial Britain transporting iron across the country, before then coaling naval vessels during World War I, and supporting wartime efforts in World War II. With a rich and varied history, she has been a working vessel, a coal barge, and a steam-powered cargo ship. She remains one of the oldest vessels of her kind still afloat today, and is recognised as an important vessel on the National Historic Ships’ Historic Fleet Register, alongside esteemed vessels like the Cutty Sark and HMS Victory.

However, time and the elements have taken a devastating toll on Basuto. Currently sitting in the lower basin at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, this iconic vessel is sinking and must be continuously pumped to stay afloat. Due to her construction Basuto cannot be repaired while in the water, and without immediate action she risks sinking completely, which would further damage her structure and threaten the water quality of the surrounding area. Having secured generous initial funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to undertake this conservation effort, CRT need your help to secure the remaining funding and to raise awareness of this historic conservation effort.

To make a donation to help cover the final costs of the conservation works follow this link: Saving Basuto – a Charities crowdfunding project in Ellesmere Port by Canal & River Trust

The Basuto at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. Image courtesy of CRT.

Small Grants Available in 2025 for Industrial Heritage Museums & Sites

Small Grants Available in 2025 for Industrial Heritage Museums & Sites

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The dealines for several grant streams suitable for Industrial Heritage museums and sites occur in early 2025. To catch up with what is available for industrial heritage sites and museums explore the following websites.

Foyle Foundation Small Grants The Small Grants Scheme is provided by the Foyle Foundation to support smaller, grass-roots, and local charities in the UK with projects that have the potential to make a significant difference to their work. Grants range from £2k to £10k and the closing date for applications is 31 January. Find outr mor eby followign this link: https://foylefoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/small-grants-scheme-guidelines/

The Heritage Alliance, whilst not a funding body in itself, co-manages the Heritage Funding Directory  with the Architectural Heritage Fund. This free resource for the sector includes a directory listing funding sources for heritage projects across the UK (and internationally), and includes some helpful guidance on fundraising.  It is regularly updated, so its worth visiting regularly.

Finally, the Association for Industrial Archaeology runs several annual grant and award schemes specifically for industrial archaeology and heritage, with closing dates at the end of January and the end of March. Follow this link for further details: https://industrial-archaeology.org/aia-awards/

Britannia Sailing Trust Launches Crowdfunding Appeal

Britannia Sailing Trust Launches Crowdfunding Appeal

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After 10 years or restoration work SS Britannia will be relaunched in Exeter in late September 2023. A significant moment, but she needs further support to get there. Britannia’s restoration journey has been a labour of love for over ten years, driven by the dedication of volunteers and maritime enthusiasts. Now, the Britannia Trust is launching a crowdfunding appeal to raise the funds needed to complete the remaining restoration work ahead of that launch.

Britannia’s grand arrival at the Quay in Exeter is scheduled for the 24th September, and preparations are well advanced. The Trust noted that ‘this historic occasion will be a celebration of maritime tradition, community spirit, and the indomitable human will to preserve our heritage.’

To contribute to the crowdfunding appeal follow this link: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/relaunching-britannia-after-10-years-ashore