Important news!
Without your help we couldn't have done it!
Today Bro Palmer spoke with Landbridge executives and we have come to an agreement for the first stage of this project. Landbridge have been co-operative and confirmed that they realise the historical significance of HDML 1321 and advise (weather permitting) that this Monday the vessel will be raised, placed on a barge and moved to temporary storage while her fate is determined. (Stage 2)
They've assured us that they will take every care in this operation to minimise damage (some may be inevitable, however they will be using a very experienced salvage crew).
Negotiations will continue about re-imbursing the company for salvage costs and we are quite happy to do this.
So it looks as if the first bridge will be crossed and we can move on to finding her a permanent home, and
We will continue with the fund raising program as the next stage is to
Fortunately Featherstones in Hobart still have the original plans on file and we should be able to obtain copies.
Concurrent with this stage, we need to find a permanent home for HDML 1321, the concept being discussed is an on-land display with transparent panels showing key areas of the interior. Keeping the boat as a floating memorial has been calculated to be too expensive as the maintenance costs would be prohibitive (as has been found with another Z Special Forces icon, the MV Krait, which is now being restored as a static exhibit for the Australian War Memorial).
If any organisation is interested in displaying this vessel, we'd appreciate them contacting us. Our aim is now to
Ambitious, certainly, however HDML1321 is worthy of being preserved.
Again we ask for your continued support by spreading the news that HDML 1321 should be on the surface sometime Monday.
NB: updated on 15 February to reflect the intentions of the Save Motor Launch 1321 Inc. to 'stabilise and preserve' the vessel rather then to restore it to war time condition.
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