Ss robin saved by crossrail deal

By John Hill on May 19, 2008 10:23 AM |

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THE SS Robin steamship has been rescued by an 11th hour deal with Crossrail.

The historic craft will leave West India Quay for essential repairs next month after receiving a loan of nearly £2million.

When it returns at the end of the year, it will be sealed in the dock for around five years while the £16billion London rail link's Isle of Dogs station is built a few metres away.

Trustees feared the Robin was doomed when a Heritage Lottery Fund bid failed, but have secured compensation from Crossrail as work is to begin at West India Dock earlier than planned.

Trust co-founder David Kampfner said: "It's a reprieve from the scrapyard. We have Crossrail to thank for saving the ship. But we'll still have to do some fundraising to pay them back in time."

The Wharf revealed a deal was being thrashed out in April, but Mr Kampfner was unable to reveal full details until after the papers were signed last Monday (May 12).

The boat - which is one of only three Grade I ships in London - is expected to be towed out to Lowestoft for riveting and hull work.

In the meantime, the Trust is looking for any businesses willing to supply a floating classroom so it can carry on its educational work in West India Quay while the boat is being repaired. Interested companies can contact the Trust via www.ssrobin.org

The Robin will be moved to the stretch of water outside Brown's bar while a cofferdam is built near the green bridge. The Isle of Dogs station is expected to be among the first to open when the massive rail link from Maidenhead to Shenfield opens from 2017. It will link the growing Canary Wharf population to destinations such as The City and Heathrow airport.

While admitting the repair work is "on a tight schedule", Mr Kampfner is also beginning to plan a bright future for the ship, which includes an improved high-tech educational space with Minority Report-style touch screens.

He said: "It's not going to simply be a museum ship full of dusty artifacts in glass cases. We want to get involved with innovative technology companies.
"The long-term aim is to make sure this historic ship gets the respect it deserves."