Campaigner signals end for rescue of ship

A CAMPAIGNER battling to save former Newcastle party boat the Tuxedo Royale has given up hope of restoring the ship to its former glory.

The ship has been on the River Tees in Middlesbrough since 2009 after it was left with no legal owner when its then owner went into administration.

Fire engulfed the former party boat on May 31, which was once hugely popular with revellers when it was docked on the Gateshead Quayside.

An arson investigation with Cleveland Police is ongoing. Nobody was injured in the blaze.

Lisa Turner, director of the Tuxedo Royal Restoration project, has been fighting for the ship to be renovated and showcased in a maritime museum.

The campaign group also did not “rule out” the party boat making a return to Newcastle’s nightlife as recently as June, once the fire damage was fully assessed.

But, nearly two months on, Lisa posted on the project’s Facebook page, seemingly accepting defeat on their plans to salvage the ship and saying dismantling work has already begun.

Speaking to The Chronicle, she said: “It’s been a bit of a nightmare.

“Apparently ,there is activity down there by the ship, but no one seems to know what’s going on.

“No one is talking to each other so I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’ve been left in the dark, it’s so frustrating.

Lisa’s post reads: “It’s with a very heavy heart to announce that this is unfortunately the end of the project.

“I’ve spent the last year emailing and fighting to save her and this really is a complete blow to me.

“I see this as such a learning curve that it hasn’t put me off at all. But this is the end for Tux now.”

Despite several rescue attempts, the ship – the TSS Dover – has remained unused since it ceased operating a decade ago.

Any witnesses to the alleged arson incident, pictured below, can call Cleveland Police on 101.