Following my comments about not preserving the great American liner United States in the February edition, I feel that I should make some positive comments about the preservation of well-loved ships in other parts of the world.

Luckily, due to various preservation societies often aided by the governments of countries and cities, some great old ships are still preserved.

The obvious number one is the former Cunard liner Queen Mary of 1936 which has been preserved in Long Beach, California since 1968. I still feel emotional when I see her and visit her in her berth and am forever grateful to the various trusts that have made her preservation possible.

It is also a joy to see the former Holland America liner Rotterdam of 1959 in excellent condition back in her home port.

The former Japanese liner Hikawa Maru of 1930 is preserved as a museum in Yokohama. After financial problems the ship was taken over by Japanese shipping company NYK in 2007.

The former French liner Ancerville of 1962, now the Minghua, is part of the Sea World Complex in Shenzhen, China.

There are other great examples of preserving important ships from our past notably Brunel’s Great Britain which is preserved in Bristol.

Many smaller British ships such as Waverley, Balmoral, Kingswear Castle, Medway Queen and Glenlee are excellent examples of such.

However, there are some notable vessels whose future is still in the balance. The 1948-built Astoria, which rose to fame when, as the Stockholm when she collided with and sank the Italian liner Andrea Doria off Nantucket in 1956, is still laid up in Rotterdam, her future causing much concern.

Let’s make certain that these important parts of maritime history are preserved for future generations to enjoy.