The Falls of Clyde has cost a half million dollars a year to maintain and repair and it has gotten so bad that the fate may be to just.....sink it.
Located just to the left of Aloha Tower Marketplace at Pier 7 in Honolulu Harbor (Hawaii Maritime Center) the Falls of Clyde is the ONLY four masted-fully rigged sailing ship left in the world!
It is a landmark and the adults and children love it although no one can set foot on it because of the disrepair.
This history behind this huge sailing vessel is as follows:
- Built in 1878 by "Russel and Company" in Port Glasgow, Scotland
- Named after the Falls of Clyde up the River Clyde in Central Glasgow, Scotland
- Her first six years she spent in India trade and her maiden voyage took her to Karachi (Pakistan)
- Then she did general cargo like wheat, cement, lumber from California, Austrailia, New Zealand, India and the British Isles.
- In 1899 it was purchsed by William Matson (Matson Navigation Company) and from 1899 to 1907 she made 60 trips between Hilo, Hawaii to SanFrancisco, California.
- Finally, in 1968 it was open to the public for viewing.
- It was one of the original "MATSON" vessels
- It was the 'lifeline' to the islands
- It brought oil to the islands
- It brought molasses out of the islands to the mainland
- Registered in 1973 as a Historic Place in the National Register of Historic Places
Unless they happen upon a 32 million dollar donation for her complete makeover and care by the end of 2008, the Falls of Clyde will be sunk at sea.
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Sally,
Is this a new listing, foreclosure, short sale, 1031 exchange, or what??? :) Thanks, Fran
BTW, Are you aware there are 3 'Cheesemans' on AR??? Any relation?
Hi Sally, Hopefully the right eyes sees your post and comes forth with the loving act to save her. I had just completed 3 of the most remarkable paragraphs to you as my mind wondered into her memory and her life as she navigated the many waters of this earth, never yielding to the strength and might of the seas she sailed. ( But instead of hitting the spell check button on my task bar, I hit the return to home page button and lost the comment post). To continue,
She is a beauty and something that should be preserved as a link into ours and others history. Being a real working vessel, she never gave in but her life's story would bring forth many videos of the mind for ones imagination of what times were like in her glory years.
I can hear the sea birds as they seek refuge on the mast, all the while hoping something of the food stuffs would be shared. I can feel the wind that moved her majestic body as though floating through the heavens, yet they be the waters on the earth.
She is worth saving and she should be.
William: Glorious minds account of what we may have seen. I do hope that some or many find a way to save her.....my friends hubbie has been on that ship working for years...trying to restore/repair it. Thanks William...it is with your insight and depth of your soul that will surely bring someone to come forward....who has the same kind of feelings :)
Karen: Sure would be....I do believe it would have to be someone who cares about preserving history too.
Gary: I hope so....I love history....need to see something to know.
Joan: I agree...salt water can eat it all up too.....
Patricia: yeah...a sugar momma :)
Lisa: The Bishop Museum had funds but the repairs/maintenance are so extensive that they no longer have funds for it. a half million a year and still can't get it repaired! Salt water and old age....took a toll. They need three million asap or sink it at the end of this year.
Hi Sally - what a beautiful picture that is! Your posts on your area are so refreshing - I always feel like they're a breath of fresh air every time I read one. Thanks for the great job you do on your local posts - they make me think back to the 2 times I've been, and they make me want to go out there again!
Ann
Brian: I hope so...I sure would miss it...it's been around since I was a kid :)
Ann: Come....come join me in the tropical climate!
Cool, Sally. I remember this from our AR outing in Honolullu, but only saw the boat in the dark (I have a pic too but not nearly a nice as yours). Thanks for sharing this - I wondered about the history.
Jeff
Lisa: Believe me...everything has been tried in years prior....no one can go on...that bad.
Kathy: I hope so too.
Jeff: Yeah... I took this one a couple of months ago.....I knew something was up.
Thesa: Hope for the best.
Kathy: Here ya go.... http://www.bishopmuseum.org/media/2008/pr08033.html
Sally.... it's ashame, because I love the history of older ships.... but that is a lot of money per year.... and I need to look into something, but I could have sworn that there is a ship in the NYC area that fits that same description. I even wrote about it briefly, when I did my NYC/Manhattan series. But again, that stinks, because that looks like a gorgeous ship.
Aloha Sally,
As those of us who live on the ocean know the battle with the elements is a losing one especially with anything made from metal, as this ship is.
I didn't realize there is no more four masters left aside from the Falls of Clyde. There's the Esmerelda but she's from the 20th century, not an antique.
She would make a great reef and dive attraction, should they have to sink her.
Mahalo for the post,
Jeff: It sure does....but hey...nothing lasts forever right?
Kimo: Thanks for stopping by Kimo! Alas...but it is true...it just may make a good attraction....unless too deep.
Marlene: It sure is...I guess there will be something else in its place ....maybe.
Hi Sally
A group called 'The Friends of the Falls of Clyde" is forming in Honolulu to try to save her and are in negotiation with the current owners - The Bishop Museum. The ship has been fully stripped and prepared for scuttling and the Coast Guard have signed off on towing arrangements. The stay of execution has extended unofficially, possibly to the end of September.
The new Group needs your ACTIVE active support.
If you want to contribute directly to the effort to save the Falls of Clyde, please send your donations to The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, P.O. Box 4164, Honolulu HI 96812-4164.
Barnacle Bill (that's cute): I saw that on the news a week or so ago.