The fate of a historic tall ship moored in Honolulu Harbor could be left up to the state.
The 138-year-old Falls of Clyde has been moored in Honolulu Harbor for more than 50 years at pier 7. Built in 1878 the ship is the last surviving iron-hulled ships with a four mast full rigging. In her prime, she served the Matson Company as a passenger ship, making runs between the Hawaiian Islands and San Francisco before being modified into an oil tanker. Se survived two scuttling attempts in 1963 and then again in 2008.
The state harbors division has ordered the ship to move and impounded the vessel after revoking its mooring permit, calling the vessel a safety hazard.
A group called The Friends of Falls of Clyde has been working to either find the ship a new home here or in California… or as a last resort, scuttle it to create an artificial reef. Their president Bruce McEwan said the organization is asking the harbors Division for a hearing to argue its condition.
McEwan hopes the Harbors Division will release the ship from impoundment and let the organization continue with its plan.
