National Historic Ships UK REVIEW 2013–14 CALENDAR 2015 Foreword ife for National Historic Ships UK in public spending across the board take increased external funding alongside the L continues to be full on. Our case-work further hold are putting great strains on reducing DCMS grant in order to meet and advice to funders, national and local our capacity to deliver these services. the demands placed upon us. In parallel, bodies, and to the historic ships sector are we continue to examine ways in which running at unprecedented levels, with the Our core costs are very carefully controlled, better protection for historic vessels under initiation of our own HLF-funded Shipshape but that will not be enough in future threat may be achieved. Whatever the Heritage Skills Project bringing welcome years if we are to continue to be effective. future brings, it is clear that the calls on Martyn Heighton (though demanding) increased activities Supported by the hard work of our Council, our services in caring for and promoting for everyone in our small team. Reducing we are looking at ways in which we can the worth of historic vessels in the UK are Director & Chair of Council financial resources as Government cuts reconfigure our financial base through highly valued and remain undiminished. National Historic Ships UK Above: Photo Competition Category C – Entry: Heading for the line, by Peter Dalrymple. Cover: Photo Competition Category C – WINNER: Over the Gunnels, by Chrissie Westgate. Introduction esponding to the demands of the House to funding historic ships projects, and on Administrations, public and private agencies, supplemented by funding from grant-giving Rof Commons Select Committee for proposals that directly or indirectly affect and communities at large. bodies to meet costs for a range of initiatives, Culture, Media and Sport, the Advisory historic vessels; which are set out here. Committee on National Historic Ships DCMS continues to be our sponsoring (National Historic Ships) was created in • provide leadership and strategic vision department with an annual dedicated grant There are just four permanent staff positions 2006 as an Advisory Non-Departmental across the UK historic ships communities paid through Royal Museums Greenwich – the Director; a Policy and Project Manager; Public Body (NDPB). In their review of and wider maritime sectors by acting which now stands at £222,900. This reflects an Office and Web Manager; and an Office NDPBs in 2010-11, DCMS was keen to as the official voice for historic vessels, the continuing reductions in grant-in-aid Coordinator. Due to the Policy and Project see the work of National Historic through proactive engagement with the to nationally-funded bodies required under Manager’s maternity leave, Eric Kentley has Ships continue whilst adhering to the sector, the UK government, the Devolved Government policy. The DCMS grant is undertaken key aspects of her work on a two government’s policy of reducing the number day a week basis. Three trained volunteers of NDPBs. Consequently, National Historic also give crucial help in maintaining the Ships UK(NHS–UK) was constituted as an databases and researching projects. Claire inde-pendent body funded by DCMS under Durrant, a Cutty Sark staff member, worked the aegis of what is now Royal Museums with NHS-UK between April 2013 and June Greenwich (RMG). It remains the only 2014, assisting the development of our First UK-wide body charged with giving objective World War project; John Graves from RMG advice on matters relating to historic has provided maternity cover one day a week vessels, and promoting their value both working on the Registers. Both were funded culturally and economically within and by NHS-UK on a re-charge basis agreed with beyond the UK. RMG as part of our Service Level Agreement through which NHS-UK meets the cost of OUR REMIT IS TO: services which RMG provides. • act as the primary source of independent A Council of Experts drawn from across the and objective advice to the Secretary of historic vessels and heritage conservation State for Culture, Media and Sport, other sectors and chaired by the Director advises government departments and the Devolved and assists staff. Current members are Administrations on all matters relating to listed on our website and we are considering historic ships; expanding membership to include representatives from maritime industries. • advise the Heritage Lottery Fund and other grant-giving and public bodies across We carry out our remit through a range the UK on maritime conservation priorities, of functions and activities, which are on applications they have received relating Photo Competition Category E – Shortlisted Entry: A Splash In the Sea, by Andrew White. set out here. NATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS UK | REVIEW 2013 – 2014 The National Registers Photo Competition Category A – Entry: MGB 81, Photo Competition Category C – Entry: Photo Competition Category A – Entry: Photo Competition Category A – Shortlisted: after D-Day commemorations, by Richard Hellyer. Jolie Brise begins The Fastnet 2013, by Donna Taylor. VIC32 on the Clyde, by Graeme Phanco. Thalatta in quiet waters off Southend, by David Chandler. he four live registers are accessible The Overseas Watch List (OWL) again publications) and educational initiatives The consultation period has now closed Tfree online at www.nationalhistoric established in 2010 holds information on for all age groups, to those looking for and after publishing the consultation ships.org.uk 84 historic vessels with strong UK visitor information (including vessels outcomes and reviewing the issues associations lying overseas in which there taking passengers to sea or out on raised, we are looking to implement The National Register of Historic Vessels is particular interest as potential candidates waterways) and film makers and TV the appropriate changes next year. (NRHV) currently holds details of 1076 for repatriation (such as HMS Whimbrel companies looking for vessels which vessels (60 of which are new registrations in Egypt), or as conservation projects meet their filming requirements. The relationship between the NRHV this year) and includes 212 vessels in the (such as SS Yavari in Peru). vessels and those on the National Small National Historic Fleet – comprising Work to refine these registers is on-going, Boat Register (NSBR), run by the National vessels of especial significance. Finally, the UK Replica List (established with emphasis on bringing information Maritime Museum Cornwall through the April 2012) holds information on replicas up to date. NMMC Trustee George Hogg, continues The National Archive of Historic Vessels in the UK based on the replica definitions to develop constructively. We are still at (NAHV) established in 2010 lists vessels set out in our manual Conserving Historic A working party of staff and Council work rationalising the two registers, which were on the NRHV but have been Vessels. The list has gained one more replica members was set up in 2013 to develop along with identifying those vessels on lost through dilapidation, scrapping, this year (HMS Pickle), taking the total to 13. a more robust approach to defining the the NSBR (33 ft. length-over-all and below) or sinking: this year the number of National Historic Fleet. This produced which may qualify for inclusion in the NAHV vessels stands at 470. These registers are used in a wide variety recommendations for revised criteria for National Historic Fleet because of their of ways, from detailed research (often for fleet membership and was circulated widely national significance. for institutional and public comment. Advising Government Advising Funders & related agencies Photo Competition Category C – Shortlisted Entry: White meets blue, by Ruediger Zitt. Photo Competition Category A – Shortlisted Entry: Pacific out of the mist, by Michael Wall. e maintain regular contact with Designation Review; the review of grant he bulk of the advice we’ve given advice over the year, we have submitted Wgovernment and national agencies, criteria for the PRISM Fund administered Ton funding applications was to the detailed analyses on 13 HLF applications, providing background briefings for by ACE; advice to DCMS on the Liverpool Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), National two National Heritage Memorial Fund parliamentary questions and FOI requests, Biennial commemorations for the First Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), and the projects, two PRISM Fund applications and general advice involving issues linked World War; and on-going information PRISM Fund run by Arts Council England and one advice note relating to a PRISM with historic vessels. Key matters on which for DCMS on developments with HMS (ACE), although other funders such as the Fund grantee. we have been consulted this year include Plymouth and City of Adelaide. We’ve also Headley Trust and Wolfson Foundation the Arts Council England’s (ACE) Museums given advice on a range of lesser issues. also consulted us. As well as general NATIONAL HISTORIC SHIPS UK | REVIEW 2013 – 2014 Supporting the sector ANNUAL AWARDS Photographic Competition is high quality images for general use and for inclusion in Awards aimed at raising standards and this calendar. the profile of historic vessels over the year comprise the Photographic Competition CASE-WORK Awards (with five categories including one for young participants); Flagship of Case-work is very demanding and ranges the Year, and the Marsh Trust Volunteer widely, encompassing conservation, Awards (which include an award focused on encouraging young volunteers). In 2013 the awards were presented on HMS Belfast by Julia Bradbury, well known for her TV programmes on countryside, environment and heritage issues. This year the awards were presented by the maritime historian, adventurer and broadcaster Sam Willis on board HQS Wellington on 21st October 2014. The list of recipients was published on the web site and covered by a range of media stories, particularly at regional and local levels. One valued outcome of the Photo Competition Category E – Highly commended: Hurst Spit – A Sea View, by Matt Edwards.