Grant ensures Robin opening

摘要

SS Robin is to reopen to the public following an award of just under £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). 'The grant will also be used to greatly improve access, including disabled access, for the first time, and conserve the original features and interior spaces of this 19th century London-built historic ship,' said Nishani Kampfner, CEO of the SS Robin Trust. Robin (below) was built in 1890 by Mackenzie, MacAlpine and Co of Blackwall and was owned by Arthur Ponsonby of Newport, but was sold to the Robin steamship Co two years later. In 1900 she was sold and renamed Maria, trading in Spanish waters until 1974. She arrived in London's Royal Victoria Dock last summer, and is permanently mounted on a pontoon which will house a visitor centre.