Port of Tilbury gives restored SS Robin a home

Photo Credit: Mike Page/Skyview


SS Robin, the world's oldest complete steamship, is due to arrive at the Port of Tilbury on Saturday 18th September, after London’s principal trading port stepped in to offer the newly restored ship a home.

The historic ship, one of London's only three Core Collection ships, left Lowestoft today, Friday 17th  September, 13:00 after successfully completing two years of major conservation works.

The £1.9m programme of conservation works, funded by Crossrail, was completed on SS Robin this month and, subject to funding for the final phase, will be transformed into a dynamic floating museum for 21st Century London. But before she reaches the capital, the SS Robin has been given a temporary home by Forth Ports PLC, owners of the Port of Tilbury, while future options for a final base in the capital are evaluated.

Regarded as one of the most important British built ships, SS Robin will spend the final stage of her journey to London at the capital’s key port and is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Tilbury tomorrow morning, Sunday 14th September 2010, three days after the ship celebrated its 120th anniversary.

SS Robin Project Director, David Kampfner, explained:

"The ambitious, world-first concept which has been created for SS Robin displays the entire ship to the world for the first time.  Observers, followers and friends of the Trust will now be able to see the newly restored ship on her brand new bespoke floating dock. We're delighted that we can bring SS Robin to Tilbury - after two years of intensive conservation work, Tilbury offers a secure base to assess her future long-term home in London.  We're very excited to finally bring this important historic vessel back to the Thames.”

Perry Glading, Managing Director of the Port of Tilbury, said:

“The Port of Tilbury was open for business in 1886, just four years before the SS Robin was launched, and both have made an important contribution to the history of industrial entrepreneurship that made this country so successful. Shipping remains vital to our economy and as London’s major port Tilbury continues to have a crucial role in boosting the capital’s economy. This is a great opportunity for us to have the SS Robin at Tilbury and to play our part in ensuring this vessel is able to continue to make her own contribution capital’s economy by bringing the history of merchant shipping alive for future generations.”

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has voiced his support for the project, saying:

“I fully support the ambitious plans to transform this historic ship into a dynamic educational museum that will be a great learning source for schools. History is immensely important and I can think of no better way of learning than aboard a floating museum, packed with interesting facts and hidden treasures.”

Source [Forth Ports & Port of Tilbury]