Sir, - Regarding the letter (June 8th), from Michael Prior, of the Asgard Restoration Project (ARP), as the consultant associated with the survey and preparation of Asgard for conservation, I wish to comment on points raised.
1. The real concern is not that the ARP may be planning to restore Asgard for use as a private yacht, but that her restoration is being approached in the context of her being a private yacht, a different scenario entirely. Such an approach would exclude the involvement of the Marine department in approving the standard and scope of the restoration. If restored as a private yacht, she can never carry trainees, passengers or indeed anyone who may have contributed towards the restoration, as such could be seen as constituting payment.
2. The statement that the first the ARP knew of the conservation proposal was in 1997 requires clarifying. My recollection is that two founder-members of the ARP knew in 1994 that it was the Government's intention to conserve and protect Asgard and not restore her to sail.
3. The coatings were removed from the Asgard in June 1996 and not in 1997, as stated by Michael Prior. Indeed, they were removed a full year before the ARP survey was carried out, giving full sight of all surfaces, yet they apparently failed to find that the great majority of the vessel was original. The hull was treated with a powerful preservative, not with "moisture retention treatment" as Michael Prior has stated. Further coatings were not required, given the location and time span.
4. In 1997, the contract to conserve the Asgard was agreed but was cancelled because the ARP proposed that she be restored to sail instead. This most certainly interrupted the conservation process.
5. In the early stages of the ARP campaign, most of whom they approached were indeed supportive of the project. This was largely because a distorted view of the actual extent of original material and the threat to it was made known. As the reality of the situation is now being realised, people are quite rightly concerned and less supportive of restoration.
6. In 1997, the conservation of the Asgard was costed by five separate Irish boatyards. The chosen contract bid was below £200,000. In 1999, at a presentation to the Asgard Working Group referred to by Michael Prior, my own estimate for her conservation was £250,000 to £300,000. My estimate for a restoration as proposed by the ARP was £700,000 to £800,000 (all on record). The ARP figure for restoration was approximately £314,000. It is of interest that the figure for restoration has risen to £1 million, as quoted in the media by ARP fund-raiser Harry Crosby.
7. The ARP may reject the claim that 8090 per cent of the Asgard could be lost in the restoration process, However, it is on record as saying that all the hull planking will be removed and its survey conclusions state that "a considerable amount of the structure will need replacing". Michael Prior says that most of the deck and frames will be reused. We must remind ourselves that this is the original deck he is referring to. Surely, given the historic significance of all that has happened on it, the very last thing to do would be to put it back in the open - at sea, particularly as it, and the frames, are extensively affected by corroded metal. Like all of the unique and precious Asgard, it should be conserved and protected indoors. Yours, etc.,
John Kearon, Head of Shipkeeping, Industrial Land Transport Conservation, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool.