26 January 2006
HANSON BRINGS NOMADIC HOME
The SS Nomadic, the last ship of the White Star Line, is returning home to Belfast where she was built in 1911.
Social Development Minister, David Hanson MP, announced today that his Department has purchased the SS Nomadic at auction in Paris.
The Minister said: "My Department has been working behind the scenes since before Christmas to establish the case for acquiring this historic vessel. It was necessary to maintain confidentiality round this work to ensure that Government's bidding for the Nomadic at open auction was not compromised. DSD paid 250,001 euro for the vessel."
Mr Hanson also announced his intention to set up a Charitable Trust to coordinate fundraising and oversee the restoration of the Nomadic.
The Minister continued: "Belfast Harbour Commissioners have agreed to provide a berth for the ship to allow the Trust time to take forward the restoration project. This is welcome news and will provide a secure basis on which to start the project. While no further public funding is available for the cost of restoration I greatly welcome the contribution of £100,000 pledged by Belfast City Council. This will get the project off to a good start. If the Trust is unable to progress the fundraising and restoration over the next 18 months the vessel will be sold to prevent it deteriorating.
"The Nomadic's original purpose was to transfer first class passengers from the landing stage to the Titanic and Olympic and so the ship is a very tangible reminder of these great vessels. The return of the Nomadic to Belfast's waterfront is good news for Northern Ireland providing the potential for the ship to be used as a visitor attraction and a symbol of Belfast's proud maritime heritage."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Department purchased the SS Nomadic at auction in Paris on 26 January 2006 for the sum of 250,001 euros.
The Department has stipulated that sufficient progress must be made by the Trust with fundraising before title to the ship is transferred. The Department will regularly review the progress of fundraising and restoration.
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