Diver assesses dry dock gate in bid to secure future of frigate

Move part of plan to preserve 200-year-old HMS Unicorn at City Quay

A diver plunged into the waters of Dundee’s City Quay yesterday as the project to dry dock the HMS Unicorn took an “important step”

The hull of the ship was checked over and sections measured to allow flotation bags to help keep the frigate steady in the water.

A crane was used to assist the diver into the water.

The main objective was to assess the condition of the nearby gate for the East Graving Dock as plans are made to drain water there to allow Unicorn to be dry docked.

The dock itself was also given a once over by the diver, checking how much debris lies underwater, to plan for the drainage.

A report is being prepared based on the findings but an early assessment suggests the dock is clear and the volunteers plan to move on to the next stage.

If the gate does need repair work that could delay the whole project and increase the funds needed.

It is hoped the nearby North Carr Lightship can join the Unicorn in dry dock, if space and conditions allow it.

The Unicorn was last dry docked in 1972 but only for a handful of days for it to be checked and cleaned before returning to its current home.

Volunteers with the Unicorn Preservation Society say keeping the ship in water will only hasten her decay.

Finlay Raffle, HMS Unicorn Preservation Society engagement officer, said: “This has been an early but important step in the long-term future of the ship.

“The main goal is to get it dry docked permanently. It is almost 200 years old.

“We are waiting on some cash from the Tay Cities Deal before moving forward as well.”

Even if the gate is watertight, it will still be a number of years before the project is complete as the volunteers raise more funds, Mr Raffle added.

They hope when it is in dry dock, it can help bring tourists and businesses to the City Quay area.

Joe McKee, member of Tamara, which works to preserve the North Carr Lightship, has worked on ships all over the world.

He said: “The project will need considerable funds, but with these ships once they are gone, they are gone.

“I think it is critical to preserve these things.”

The Unicorn museum reopened late last week after months of closure because of coronavirus.

We are waiting on some cash from the Tay Cities Deal before moving forward as well

Pictures: Steve Brown. Diver Graeme Dickson prepares to get into the cage before being lowered into the water by crane.

Top: Graeme Dickson is lowered into the water at City Quay to assess the dry dock gate; above: His equipment is checked before the dive.