By Ross Tiger refurbishments sees original features uncovered for first time in over 60 years
Refurbishments are currently underway on the legendary Ross Tiger trawler outside the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre to restore it to its former glory.
The original Borneo Pine decking to the ship, laid in 1956, requires removal in its entirety in order to prevent the rotting timber from causing damaging corrosion to the sheet steel deck beneath.
The steel deck will be cleaned and inspected before repainting works take place.
A number of condition reports and a conservation management plan have been commissioned with Beckett Rankine Marine Consulting Engineers of London in recent years. These documents have allowed for the museum team to prioritise the most urgent works to the vessel and to plan future works as funding allows.
Ross Tiger will re-open to the public following the works, with the painted steel deck in use for visitors. Some of the original timber that remains in good condition will be preserved and conserved in the museum collection.
R&N Services have now started to remove rotten timber from the Ross Tiger, along with any other items and debris – all in preparation for sand blasting of the steel decking in a few weeks.
A section of the starboard side foredeck, revealing the riveted plate steel deck from beneath the timber for the first time since 1956.
Former fisherman Dennis is thought to be the longest serving “Skipper” of the Ross Tiger, being the regular captain of the ship from 1975 until 1983.
Speaking on the refurbishments he told Radio Humberside: “I’m over the moon because I for one with a lot of others in the town, think the Ross Tiger should be preserved and must be preserved. There’s no should about it really. It must be preserved for the heritage of the town.
“She’s peaceful. She’s done her job and now she needs to stand there as a tribute to all the people who have gone to sea and the ones that didn’t come back. It must be preserved.”
(Images: Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre)
