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An expert panel reviewing the future of the Edwin Fox maritime museum in Picton says its dry dock needs urgent repairs, and recommends a new purpose-built dry dock be built in the long term.
by Kira Carrington for Local Democracy Reporting
A recent inspection of the Edwin Fox Museum found numerous issues including corroding walls, cracked beams and deterioration of the 172-year-old ship itself.
Built in 1853, the Edwin Fox was the last convict ship to take criminals from England to Australia and was the last wooden ship to bring immigrants to New Zealand.
The panel’s report on the Edwin Fox Preservation Project and an update on the museum’s strategic plan and rebrand were presented to the Marlborough District Council strategy and community partnerships committee on Thursday.
The four-person panel, made up of naval architect Harry Stronach, marine and coastal structural engineer Grant Pearce, and maritime heritage experts Sara Gainsford and Kurt Bennett spent two days inspecting the ship in August.
