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**A Historic Clydebuilt Ship Scuttled off Hawaii: Controversy and Heartbreak over the Fate of the Falls of Clyde**
The deliberate sinking of the Falls of Clyde—a 19th-century iron-hulled sailing ship built on the River Clyde in Scotland—off the coast of Hawaii has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger from maritime heritage groups across the world. The ship, which had served as a museum piece in Honolulu for decades, was towed out to sea and scuttled by local authorities, a move that has been condemned by preservationists in both Hawaii and Scotland. For many, the loss of the Falls of Clyde marks not just the end of an era, but a failure to safeguard a unique piece of global maritime history.
**The Birth and Storied Career of the Falls of Clyde**
Constructed in 1878 by the renowned Russell & Co. shipbuilders at Port Glasgow on the River Clyde, the Falls of Clyde was the first in a series of eight iron-hulled vessels that would become synonymous with Scottish shipbuilding excellence in the late 19th century. These ships were designed for long-haul voyages, carrying diverse cargoes across vast oceans. The Falls of Clyde herself spent many years plying the trade routes between Europe, the Far East, and Australasia, embodying the spirit of the era’s global trade.
As the 20th century approached, the ship’s role evolved to meet changing demands. She was refitted with steel tanks and converted into a tanker, specifically to carry paraffin (kerosene) to the Hawaiian Islands. Her adaptability allowed her to remain economically viable even as the age of sail gave way to steam, and for a time, she operated as a floating fuel depot in the Pacific. This eclectic service history made the Falls of Clyde a rare survivor—a tangible link to the days when Scottish innovation dominated the world’s oceans.
**A New Home in Hawaii—and a Steady Decline**
In the mid-20th century, as many other ships of her era were lost to scrap or neglect, the Falls of Clyde found a new lease of life as a museum ship in Honolulu. Acquired by local preservationists in the 1960s, she was moored in Honolulu Harbor and became a popular attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the golden age of sail. For several decades, the ship was lovingly maintained and showcased to schoolchildren, maritime enthusiasts, and tourists.
However, nature and time proved relentless adversaries. In the 1980s, a powerful hurricane inflicted significant damage on the ship, compromising her structure and accelerating her deterioration. Financial troubles followed: the maritime section of the museum ultimately closed, and without regular upkeep, the Falls of Clyde began to decay. For years, she was left neglected, battered by the elements, and increasingly at risk of sinking at her moorings.
**Transatlantic Campaigns to Save the Ship**
The ship’s declining condition did not go unnoticed. In Scotland, where pride in Clydebuilt vessels runs deep, a determined group of campaigners launched efforts to bring the Falls of Clyde back to her birthplace for restoration. Their struggle, which spanned more than a decade, was a testament to the emotional and historical connection many Scots feel toward their maritime heritage.
David O’Neill, a businessman from Scotland and a leading figure in the Save Falls of Clyde campaign, first became involved in 2015. After being alerted to the ship’s dire state by a contact in Hawaii, O’Neill turned to social media to rally support, posting a heartfelt appeal: “Old Scottish lady needs a lift home.” The call resonated widely, drawing attention from maritime enthusiasts, historians, and even commercial shipping firms.
Remarkably, a Norwegian heavy-lift shipping company stepped forward, offering to transport the Falls of Clyde back to Scotland free of charge. This generous offer appeared to bring the dream of repatriation within reach. However, complex negotiations with the Honolulu Harbour Board soon became mired in disputes over insurance liabilities, legal requirements, and logistical conditions. Despite repeated attempts to find a compromise, the two sides remained at an impasse.
As the ship’s situation grew more precarious, another opportunity emerged earlier this year, when an American contractor was awarded the job of removing the Falls of Clyde