The Unicorn Preservation Society have plotted a course for the historic Dundee ship to occupy pride of place in the new marina being planned for Victoria Dock.
The Heritage Lottery Fund are to be asked to support an ambitious scheme that could cost as much as £10 million to create a Unicorn visitor experience similar to the award-winning Discovery Point.
The pledge signals a clear intention to keep the 189-year-old frigate in the city and plays down the possibility of the ship being lured to another port.
Three months ago Martyn Heighton, director of National Historic Ships, warned the Unicorn could be forced to leave Dundee if the right place cannot be found to ensure her preservation and display.
The UK expert on historic ships was commenting on the uncertainty over the vessel’s future after a so-called coup by a faction of Unicorn Preservation Society board members saw a change in leadership.
Lord Dalhousie, whose father formed the society in 1968, was ousted as chairman along with vice-chairman Mervyn Rolfe, a former lord provost of Dundee.
The changes came as the society was in discussion with the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) about the ship being officially recognised, which would put her in the same bracket as Admiral Nelson’s HMS Victory and boost efforts to raise funding needed to safeguard her future in Dundee, where she has been for more than 135 years.
Mr Heighton said the Unicorn was one of the world’s most important historic ships, as more original construction has survived than that of any other vessel of her age.
He said Dundee had an international asset which needed to be looked after in a way that befits her status, but the city should ask itself the best way to display the ship.
He said: “The options may include her not staying in Dundee should the right solution not be found for her to remain in that city.”
The Unicorn ought to stay in Dundee he said, but he believed she needed to be in the right place where she could generate the income and interest for her to be properly looked after.
The former board’s hopes of seeing the ship displayed as a key feature of the central waterfront were dashed and a proposal that the Unicorn could be towed alongside the Discovery failed to find support.
The new board have now declared that their energies are focused on keeping her in Victoria Dock and as a main attraction when the area is redeveloped as a marina.
Michael Clark, chairman of the society, said: “We are developing a strategy and plans will be formulated for a significant Heritage Lottery Fund application with the support of Dundee City Council, who have ambitious plans for a marina at Victoria Dock, and have advised they are firmly of the view that is where the Unicorn’s permanent home should be.
“Meantime, we are continuing to work with Dundee City Council and other organisations including the NMRN to deliver a viable and sustainable future for the Unicorn in Dundee.”