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  Hi everyone- I am with the Remembrance Line at Folkestone and I have been set the task of looking to help promote an operational classic ship. The last remaining feasible steam turbine vessel that could fulfill that roll is the TS Dover,now that we seem set to lose TS Manxman. Here is a ship that could put some style back into cross channel travel. Alright she's a car ferry-but what a beauty. A whopping great premium could be charged to make sure that she payed for her keep.
  
  Being the only one left in the world -this is entirely possible.
  
  Yes it costs a fortune to keep main line steam locomotives running on the national and preserved networks-but there are shed loads of them. One ship of one type could concentrate enthusiasm,resorces and and finance.A recession is always the right kind of climate for launching this kind of project-folks wish to escape from the doldrums-and emerse themselves. There are no other fully operational coastal turbine steamers-she would attract world wide interest...and how well she would fit into the scenario of a 'People's Community Port'-she would be universally venerated.
  
  
  My vision is to secure her from scrapping as soon as possible.Then carry out a complete survey to assess the condition of her hull and machinery. This will give an indication of the work required to restore her to working order... and there will be much very expensive work as well as Solas etc etc.! Based on the figures that I've seen for Manxman I would estimate £12-13million -retail that is with a little good will thrown in.
  Then we have some choices:-
  A) Either we get the hull sorted ,have her towed back to Dover(Granville Dock great idea),get her repainted and use her as her own sales tool to raise the money for her restoration, on a piecemeal basis.Could be a 10 year project.
  B) Investigate the idea of going directly for sponsorship with whoever is going to handle the business of the soon to be shut down North Eastern Regeneration Agency. Swan Hunter the builders(a shadow of their former selves) still exist on the Tyne and empty dry docks abound-some of them owned by the regeneration agency. If the money materialised all the work could be done where the main skill base still exists. It would be really something if she could steam into Dover Harbour.Could be a 4 year project.
  
  As for funding(we'll need to set up a charitable trust)-well there's the much awaited 'BIG SOCIETY'(keep up the pressure Charlie!),Lottery funding (the Olympic Madness is almost over),English Heritage who will hopefully be looking after the business of the demising Heritage Shipping Register people and international donations could be lucrative.Then of course there's the local population. It's a case of relentless promotion and publicity-but with hard work it can be done.
  
  
  As for operating her -she could be seasonal on all the continental channel ports.As already mentioned premium rates could be charged on fares-people would queue up for the priviledge. Don't forget in a few years the rarity value would have multiplied in the extreme.She could even return to her haunts on the Irish sea crossing to earn cash when required. I firmly believe that stuffing and mounting her is not the way forward-let's use our imagination.
  
  I have already addressed one important issue...is she available?
  Well I'm happy to say that TS Dover is up for grabs,if somebody wants her-and we do don't we?
  
  I have recently spoken to the Business Development Director of ABLE UK who own her.He told me that they would be willing to embark upon a 'mutually beneficial' course of action which would enable an appropriate body to acquire the vessel. In fact he invited me and associates (currently unknown) to visit the ship and see for ourselves the onerous yet inspiring task which lies ahead. Who wants to come? She is currently moored on the River Tees at Middlesborogh just adjacent to the famous transporter bridge.Mr Scotchie has got the main web info sussed-have a look and panic.
  
  This is the last chance we will have to see a turbine steamer plying her trade between Dover (and hopefully Folkestone!) to the continental ports...to inspire and give pleasure to future generations-who have lost the art of classic passage and need reminding of 20thcentury maritime ingenuity.
  
  Let's go for it-Waddya think?

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