Appeal Launched to Bring Home the Result
The Carrickfergus Tall Ship Project is embarking on a fundraising campaign to develop their plans to conserve and bring home the last ship built in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.
The ship, named Result, was built in 1893 by renowned Carrickfergus shipbuilder Paul Rodgers. Her long career at sea saw her carry a variety of cargoes around the coasts of Britain, Ireland and to the Continent providing an important lifeline to coastal communities in both peace and wartime. Result also saw action in the First World War as a Royal Navy Q-Ship with hidden weaponry used to lure in and attack German U-Boats. Later in the 1950s she even starred in a film. Today, Result is on open air display at the Ulster Transport Museum. She is listed on the National Historic Fleet, for vessels of pre-eminent national or local significance.
The project aims to restore the vessel, bring her back to Carrickfergus and operate her as a heritage attraction and community events hub. Historian and Project Director Christopher Kenny explains, “we could easily fill the large cargo hold space on-board with a permanent museum; however this would not encourage people to regularly revisit or maximise her potential to serve the local community. Instead our bold vision would see her become a flexible space with a changing series of living history experiences, tours, displays and cultural events benefiting both visitors and locals alike. Additionally the income from these events would better cover her long term maintenance safeguarding the historic ship for future generations.”
The Result's fascinating unique stories and significance as a coastal schooner and Q-Ship would be at the forefront of the attraction on board the vessel.
Following a recent boost with the receipt of charitable status; the project is now appealing to the public to help raise funds for the necessary vessel conservation and transport logistics surveys, and enabling works.
Since the Carrickfergus Tall Ship Project was launched in July 2024 it has been engaged in discussions with the Result’s owners National Museums NI, and the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council. Alongside these efforts the project team have been continuing to raise awareness of the Result’s history and the potential for her future with the local community through talks, social media and a series of drop-in sessions earlier this year. Additionally the project’s website has been updated and enhanced to allow the public to discover more of the ship’s story, especially her war service, and find out how they can support the project.
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Northern Ireland