Regrettably, the Scottish Maritime Museum is unable to obtain further funding to continue the restoration work, and the ship is a significant financial liability to the Museum. The Museum was forced into the appalling situation of having to apply for the vessel to be broken up, having been the instrument of her preservation only a few years beforehand. However, as the result of her listed status, press publicity, activity within the Scottish Parliament, and formal objections, the application was refused, a considered affirmation of the ship's status and importance.

 Physical Condition. 

On the instructions of The Scottish Maritime Museum the ship was surveyed in October 2000. The survey was conducted by Mr Fred Walker, Naval Architect, and two members of the Trincomalee Trust, Hartlepool. Sunderland City Council financed the survey.

Mr Walker has had lengthy experience in shipbuilding general management, coupled with fifteen years in the restoration business and the building of replica ships, with numerous clients in the UK and abroad. He has also been the Naval Architect for the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. One of his major responsibilities was as Owners Representative for the building of the replica of Captain Cook's ship Endeavour and was in charge of her successful launching in 1993. Mr Gilfoyle and Mr Johnson, the Superintendent and Senior Technical Officer, respectively, of HMS Trincomalee Trust, have between them 30 years experience in the restoration of 19th Century wooden and iron ships, notably Warrior and Trincomalee.

City of Adelaide is lying on a slipway supported on a cradle which runs on rails on top of the slipway apron. The ship has been stripped of all non-historical material as well as all of her loose ballast and most of the hull copper sheathing which was found to be in bad order when she was put on the slipway in 1993.

 Ironwork. 

This is wrought iron, renowned for its longevity and most of it has retained its original profile even after 140 years. There are 110 frames (acting as ribs), with transverse beams supporting upper and lower decks. The frames and beams are tied by diagonal straps and by three longitudinal stringers which run most of the length of the vessel.

The iron is generally in good condition, particularly in the higher part of the ship. There is some damage from corrosion, and mechanical damage to the original structure caused by the work done during her previous conversions.

The lower hold has pillars at both ends and these indicate a hull that is remarkably straight and free from distortion.

 Timber. 

The hull is planked largely with the original teak but the timbers have dried out and hardened to the extent that some of the seams have opened up to as much as 25mm.

The timber above the waterline is in relatively poor condition and contains the multiple openings for windows and access which were not part of the original design. This timber needs to be replaced. The stem and stem post are in poor condition and must be replaced.

 The Rudder. 

This item is a replacement made in Port Adelaide in 1877 following loss of the original rudder south of Kangaroo Island when the sip was in great danger and saved only by superb seamanship. No single piece of wood large enough for the main piece could be found for the replacement so it was made from two pieces of ironbark, scarped together. The new rudder has brass fittings and represents a major accomplishment for the shipwrights if Adelaide at the time.

 Site and Finance. 

The slipway upon which the vessel stands is on ground leased to SMM by Ayrshire Metals. The site was loaned to The Scottish Maritime Museum free for the first five years, but with a subsequent rental charge of £50,000. At the time that this arrangement was made, it was assumed that the vessel would have been restored sufficiently to re-float her before the expiry of the initial five years. This has not been the case, and The Scottish Maritime Museum is now liable for a sum approaching £150,000, a situation which threatens the continuation of the Museum as a whole. To their great credit, Ayrshire Metals have so far not called for the arrears.

 Legal Position. 

The vessel is protected under Scottish Law as a historic "A-Listed Building". It is this legal protection which has enabled her to survive the last decade during which active attempts have been made to destroy her. Each attempt has, fortunately, been thwarted by her Listed status. It is essential that this form of protection be maintained. This means that her proposed move to Sunderland will require not only de-listing under Scottish Law, but the simultaneous listing under English Law when she crosses jurisdictions. Mr. Chris Mullin, M.P., is investigating at Ministerial level the unique situation of requesting listed status, under English Law, for a structure which is not actually yet in England.

Thanks to Bryan Cooper for use of images on this page