SS Explorer in the Press
Edinburgh News - 28.04.2024
Watch as Edinburgh volunteers set out plans to transform 70-year-old ship into floating museum in Leith
Watch as Edinburgh volunteers set out plans to transform 70-year-old ship into floating museum in Leith
The original article is here>>
The following is an excerpt from the article :
”The SS Explorer has been berthed in Leith docks since 1996 but remains largely unknown to many - but a group of dedicated volunteers would like to change this.
For the last 28 years, a historic ship has been hidden away in Leith docks. Unlike the Royal Yacht Britannia, which has become one of Edinburgh’s most famous tourist attractions - even voted TripAdvisor’s Best UK Attraction last year, the SS Explorer remains hidden from public view behind Forth Port’s walls.
Regarded as a pioneering vessel that made a significant contribution to climate science and biodiversity work, the SS Explorer was in service between 1956 to 1984, and allowed marine biologists to better understand sea temperatures and pollution, British fishing levels, and helped shape knowledge of oceanography and marine life.”
Members of the The SS Explorer Preservation Society hope to transform the pioneering vessel into a floating museum. The historic ship has been berthed in Leith docks since 1996 | submitted [excerpt from the article]
Edinburgh News - 23.04.2024
Plans to transform historic ship berthed at Leith docks for 28 years into floating Edinburgh museum unveiled
Plans to transform historic ship berthed at Leith docks for 28 years into floating Edinburgh museum unveiled
By Neil Johnstone
Digital reporter
The original article is here>>
The following is an excerpt from the article :
”The SS Explorer is regarded as a pioneering ship that made a significant contribution to climate science and understanding of marine biodiversity - now a team of volunteers have shared plans to restore the vessel and create an interactive education centre
Plans to transform a historic Scottish vessel into an interactive floating museum in Edinburgh have been unveiled at an event in Leith.
The SS Explorer, which has been berthed in Leith docks since 1996, is regarded as a pioneering vessel that made a significant contribution to climate science and biodiversity work. In service between 1956 to 1984, the ship allowed marine biologists to better understand sea temperatures and pollution, British fish breeding and fishing levels, and helped shape knowledge of oceanography and marine life.”
Meredith Greiling, SSEPS trustee said: “The Steamship Explorer was the first purpose-built science research ship to be built in Scotland so it is a historical link of scientific research at sea that informs everything we know about what is happening in the seas today - from marine biodiversity, ocean temperatures, pollution fish stocks” | SSEPS
Wessex archaeology - 04.05.2023
Marine science vessel, The SS Explorer, conservation management sets sail
Marine science vessel, The SS Explorer, conservation management sets sail
The original article is here>>
The following is an excerpt from the article :
”Wessex Archaeology is developing a Conservation Management Plan for the SS Explorer, in service from 1956 to 1984, was a fishery research ship and a pioneer in climate science work.
The SS Explorer, in service from 1956 to 1984, was a fishery research ship and a pioneer in climate science work. Its scientific mission was to investigate British fish breeding and feeding grounds to better understand fishing levels and species types. The ship also monitored pollution and fish diseases that might adversely affect catches.
Commissioned by the SS Explorer Preservation Society with funding from the Pilgrim Trust, our archaeologists are developing a Conservation Management Plan for this historic vessel. This plan will bring together vital information on the ship and its historical, geographical and scientific connections to support funding applications for further conservation work and endeavours to share its social impact.
Now moored in Leith Docks, the ship was built by Alexander Hall of Aberdeen in 1955 and has been part of the Register of National Historic Ships since 1996. The Explorer is one of the last steam-driven trawlers ever built and represents a combination of traditional technology alongside cutting-edge scientific equipment and experiments. Fitted out with laboratories and retrofitted with an analogue computer, one of the first civilian ships to feature a computer, it represents the best of Scottish shipbuilding and innovation at a time when shipyards were moving away from traditional methods.
Nautilus International - 24.11.2020
Our living history - Explorer
Our living history - Explorer
The original article is here>>
The following is an excerpt from the article :
”Since the article we ran earlier in 2020 on maritime museums, readers have been writing in with information about their own local historic ships around the UK – many of which use the expertise of volunteers from the seafaring community for restoration, maintenance and even operation. Here we have the story of the Explorer, sent in by SS Explorer Preservation Society volunteer Allan Dickson
The SS Explorer was the first purpose-built fishery research ship for the then Scottish Home Office and was launched in 1955. The ship was a mix of traditional and new technology. The new was represented by the all-electric pumps and an AC power system for the onboard labs, as well as an aluminium superstructure. But the vessel also had a traditional riveted construction and a steam reciprocating engine. In 1967, the first ever computer to be installed on a fishery research ship was fitted on the SS Explorer.
The ship carried out a wide range of research, encompassing fishing methods and equipment, fish stocks and health, ground-breaking underwater film and photography, climate monitoring, and seabed surveys.”
The officers' saloon on the historic ship SS Explorer
The National - 12.08.2019
SS Explorer seeks help for tourist attraction plan
SS Explorer seeks help for tourist attraction plan
By Martin Hannan
Multimedia Journalist
The original article is here>>
The following is an excerpt from the article :
”AN ambitious plan to make the SS Explorer in to one of the “pearls of Leith” needs funds and public help.
The National recently told the story of the SS Explorer which is listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels as a result of her pioneering work in researching the seas as a steam-powered fisheries laboratory ship. She remains one of the last seagoing steam trawlers in the world.
The preservation society which is conserving and restoring the ship want to see her become one of the pearls of Leith, an ambitious plan by Leith Civic Trust to boost tourism to the port.
Launched in 1955, SS Explorer set a number of firsts including being the first fisheries research vessel to have its own onboard computer.
READ MORE: Celebrating the legacy of a ship steeped in Scotland's history
She entered service in 1956 with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, working under the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen. She was known as a capable vessel and served for 28 years.“
The SS Explorer could become one of the 'pearls of Leith'
The Press & Journal - 01.06.2019
Marine scientist highlights new book and play about ‘unique time capsule’ SS Explorer
Marine scientist highlights new book and play about ‘unique time capsule’ SS Explorer
By Neil Drysdale
The original article is here>>
The following is an excerpt from the article :
”John Dunn recalls the time when he used to work as a marine scientist on the SS Explorer, travelling from Aberdeen into the frozen wilderness of the Arctic Circle.
On one occasion, he journeyed from Aberdeen to the White Sea in Russia – a round trip which took him and his colleagues no less than eight weeks.
Even now, at 71, the man who spent 49 years making fresh marine discoveries believes the Explorer – the last surviving steam trawler – which was built in Aberdeen by Alexander Hall’s is a “unique time capsule” from the past.
When it was launched in 1955, the ship had one of only four computers in the Granite City on board – “a massive machine which filled a whole cabin and became incredibly hot” – and it pioneered underwater television in the industry.
His affection for the vessel explains why he has backed the news that a new play and book have been created about the history of the Explorer, which highlight both the rugged nature of life on board and the redoubtable character of the crew.
John Dunn (In the orange boiler suit) worked on the SS Explorer.
Vintage Spirit published 2017
The SS Explorer is still on course to complete her transformation into a living museum. Bob Weir caught up with the vessel at her new home in Leith Docks.
A look back at the SS Explorer's restoration in 2017, as featured in Vintage Spirit magazine. These images capture the ship's journey to becoming a living museum.
