The background to this historic vessel is a most spectatular story. Its claim to fame is that of being the first iron clad ship and it managed a sailing life of nearly 100 years. Abandoned on the Falkland Islands (way before anyone had ever heard of them!) it looked like it was doomed to rot away.
Then an inspired group successfully floated the rotted hull and in 1970 managed to bring it back to its birth place just round the corner from where we live.
But its stunning transformation over the last 40 years has been miraculous. You absolutely must go and visit this remarkable vessel for yourself. In the meantime here's some shots I took on a visit in the summer of 2005.
