Nomadic Preservation Society

- Facts -

Nomadic was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyards in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

NPS Helps Millvina Dean Millvina Dean, the youngest survivor of the Titanic disaster in 1912 is having to sell of some of her personal effects to raise funds to pay for nursing home fees where she currently resides in Southampton. Millvina, who is now 96 years old, was only 9 weeks old when she escaped the doomed liner with her Brother and Mother on the night of April 14th 1912 on a lifeboat. Sadly her Father did not survive the sinking. The Nomadic Preservation Society, as a worldwide organisation, feels it is only right to help Millvina in her time of need and hope other Titanic related organisations follow our commitment. She was a pillar of support to the "savenomadic.com" campaign and this is our way of thanking her. We are planning to donate £1000 which will be handed over to Millvina as soon as possible and hope our members and visitors to the NPS website feel the same way and give to our appeal. This appeal will end on 30th November 2008 at 8pm. Thankyou to all those who contributed. There is still time for your contribution, just press the button, it's easy and simple!
The future of SS Nomadic, have your say here We are still seeking responses to our important survey. To voice your views on SS Nomadic's future, please click on the yellow text above.
Nomadic news... Your Society hits the headlines again! The Nomadic Preservation Society once again finds itself in the spotlight of public fascination. Yesterday an extravagant report in Northern Ireland's premiere newspaper headlined our intention to see Nomadic properly restored. The article is expected to be the first in a wave of enthusiastic editorials in the media centring on this emotive topic. The N.P.S. has already recently merited glowing coverage in Practical Boat owner and Ancestry Magazines and will feature in upcoming issues of the BBC's History magazine, not to mention British Archaeology magazine and even the National Archives! The Committee is dedicated to a noble and dignified future for Nomadic and the maritime heritage of her city. They have now put the wheels in motion for a worldwide fundraising campaign and a call for support from their many friends and affiliates around the globe. "We are determined that Nomadic should not remain in her current condition as a lifeless hulk" said one member. If you have a view on this then why not complete our survey. "Moving forward together, we would appreciate the blessing of the Department for Social Development and the Nomadic Charitable Trust for what we believe is both eminently achievable and ethically responsible. Liaison is essential and we are more than keen to integrate our plans with existing fundraising strategies" stated N.P.S. Chairman, David Scott-Beddard. To read the article in full, please follow the link below, many thanks to the Belfast Telegraph and our other partners for their valued support… more news to follow as it arrives in. http://www.ssnomadic.co.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1150 Nomadic Preservation Society. Posted on 13/09/2008 - Read Full Story NPS Petitions Charitable Trust For Urgent Support From its inception in 2006 the Nomadic Preservation Society has always sought to promote SS Nomadic and her restoration as a dignified monument to our maritime heritage. When Nomadic returned home after almost a century we were thrilled to hear that she was to be “restored to her former glory”. Posted on 07/09/2008 - Read Full Story An unofficial framework for Nomadic's restoration. Former Maintenance officer Mervyn Pritchard has released his in depth analysis on the restoration and future of SS Nomadic. Exclusive to the N.P.S The Society is thrilled to bring you this detailed document for the first time Posted on 05/09/2008 - Read Full Story John White re-appointed to the NPS It gives me great pleasure to announce that John White has been accepted back onto the NPS committee. Posted on 01/09/2008 - Read Full Story Previous Articles »	NPS Petitions Charitable Trust For Urgent Support Nomadic's engines were removed and scrapped in the late 1960's to make room for, what was then, a modern cinema and dance floor. Many of her safety bulkheads were cut away to produce a more convenient layout as a floating restaurant and events venue. The N.P.S. believe that these commercially geared actions must be reversed if Nomadic is to reflect her monumental pedigree with any authenticity. In that same year, 2006, we learned of a contemporary steamer in Kenya which was still in operation on Lake Victoria. The SS Nyanza was a Steam Ship of almost identical dimensions to Nomadic whose power plant had been designed and built in Britain in the same time as Nomadic's. The owner of Nyanza planned to convert her to diesel power and hoped to find a buyer for her original steam plant which in itself is a remarkable example of British engineering and worthy of any museum. Unfortunately the owners of Nyanza have had no contact or show of interest from the company set up to manage Nomadic's restoration (SS Nomadic Charitable Trust Ltd) and now have decided to scrap the entire power plant. This type of machinery is not to be found easily; in fact the providence of such a rare find is truly amazing and will perhaps never occur again. Throughout this last 18 months the N.P.S. has been in regular contact with the owner of SS Nyanza in an attempt to secure these valuable artefacts, which would transform Nomadic from a floating hulk into a steam ship again. We have been told that it would cost millions to re-engine Nomadic again. In fact, the cost of purchasing just some of the items on offer individually would be in excess of £1.3 million! However, the Society has almost concluded a staged repayment deal for the entire power plant from SS Nyanza for as little as £200,000! This includes a twin matched set of compatible period steam engines, original Scotch boilers, condensers, the iconic engine telegraphs, controls and all supporting machinery including pumps, two original bronze propellers and a catalogue of other items… even a steam steering engine and capstans which are now missing from Nomadic's aft deck. This is an unprecedented chance of a lifetime which cannot be allowed to slip away. The owners of Nyanza will also dismantle and crate the system and transport it to Mombasa ready for shipment to Belfast included in the price. We have also initiated negotiations with the Royal Navy to have the system transported back to the UK. Part of Nomadic's restoration will be the removal of the concrete ballast put into the vessel after the removal of her engines. This must be taken out for work to be carried out on her hull. What will happen then? Will more concrete be installed to give this "Floating Attraction" the ballast she needs? Why, when genuine period steam engines can be installed instead! Back in the "Save Nomadic" days we sold our souls for support to save this historic vessel, now we must do it again if we are to see her restored in a manner suiting her rich history. We make no apology concerning this, we have a dream to pursue and I hope you will join us in this greatly historic campaign. What we urgently need is the immediate blessing of the managing company before it is too late. The foundations for a massive global campaign are in place, the worldwide Titanic community has pledged its support, negotiations and frantic preparations are already underway. Now we are putting out this word to our members and the world, we will be relying upon your faith and support as always. We are ready to roll and believe we can make this happen. But we must know… Nomadic Charitable Trust, we cannot delay any further… are we good to go? On behalf of: The Committee Nomadic Preservation Society David Scott-Beddard Chairman Nomadic Preservation Society Published On: 07/09/2008 - Permalink