Zebu (ship)

Zebu
Zebu at the Albert Dock
History
UK
Name: Zebu(formerly Ziba)
Owner: Tall Ship Zebu Ltd (Community Interest Company)
Builder: AB Holm Sweden
Laid down: 1938
Launched: 1938
Acquired: 2017
Honours and
awards:		 Circumnavigation Operation Raleigh in 1980's
General characteristics
Tonnage: 98
Length: 31 metres (101 ft)
Beam: 6.89 metres (22 ft)
Propulsion: Sail and motor
Sail plan: Brigantine

Zebu is a historic tall ship based in Liverpool.

History

Zebu (originally named Ziba) was built at the AB Holm's Yard in Raa, Sweden in 1938. She was originally built as a Galleass, a form of Baltic Trading Vessel. These ships carried a wide range of cargoes, including wood, iron ore, and paper. During WWII there is some suggestion she was used for smuggling arms and refugees from Poland and Denmark. As a trading vessel she was in service until late in the 1960s, although at some time her rigging was removed and she became motorized.

In the 1970s she was converted back to a sailing ship for recreational use and eventually found her way to the UK. She came under the ownership of Mr Nick Broughton who chartered her to Operation Raleigh.[1] She was extensively refitted for this role and between 1984 and 1988 circumnavigated the Globe. During this time she carried nearly 500 young people on her adventures as part of Operation Raleigh Activities. Similar activities still continue as Raleigh International

Following her circumnavigation she found a new home with the Mersey Heritage Trust based in Liverpool.

Decline

Her decline began when in August 2013 the ship listed to port, with no-one aboard, and was subsequently stabilised.[2] The Zebu then sank at her moorings[3] near to the Pumphouse Pub on 4 September 2015.[2] Work to raise her started on Friday 25 September 2015, and finished on Tuesday 29 September 2015, by salvage teams from Hughes Sub-Surface Engineering, Waterwitch Engineering and Carmet Tug Company.[3] Three days after Zebu was refloated, she was towed from outside of Tate Liverpool to Canning Dock, near to the Merseyside Maritime Museum. As of 16 October, the cause of her sinking was unknown. The ship will be repaired.[3]

Restoration plans

The Zebu changed ownership in January 2017. A number of Tall Ship sailing enthusiasts and experts came together who are dedicated to the restoration of Zebu. A new Community Interest Company, "Tall Ship Zebu CIC" had been registered.

The repairs and restoration were planned to start in 2017 and should include a thorough overhaul of her hull, plans to fit a new engine and generator and restoration of her rigging and her navigation. All safety equipment would need to be replaced if she were to meet the requirements for her role as an ocean going sail training ship. Much relied on raising funding for this.

Currently she is used by her owners as a Pirate Theme attraction and is a static display in Canning Dock.

References

  1. ↑ bbc news
  2. 1 2 "Recap: efforts to recover sunken Tall Ship Zebu in Albert Dock". Liverpool Echo. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Refloated Zebu moves from Albert Dock to outside the Merseyside Maritime Museum for repairs". Liverpool Echo. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
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