14 DAY TRIAL // Among the six oldest ships in the world is a Scottish warship by the name of HMS Unicorn, which was built in Chatham, Kent, 190 years ago and docked permanently in Dundee, Scotland. Soon, though, it may manage to set sail once again.
Even from the one photo up there, we can definitely understand why the warship would become a tourist attraction just by sitting in the port.
It's a very good looking piece of work. It would probably look magnificent even if it didn't have a whole crew of caretakers making sure it continues to look as well as it can, given the age.
Soon, though, it should regain its luster. Start to once more look its very best. All because of 3D printing technology.
How to get a Scottish warship back into shape
The custodians of the HMS Unicorn had to look to new methods of constructing ship parts, because the Dundee shipbuilding hub has lost most of its old expertise in shipbuilding over time.
Normally, wood turners would have to produce new handles for the wheel, which is in sore need of them. Dundee actually allows visitors to touch things when they visit the ship, and kids get to spin the wheel all the time.
The bottom line is that the ship's caretakers didn't find wood turners that could make new handles in the original style. 3D printing could succeed where they failed though.
Admittedly, absolute authenticity won't be regained this way, but that was never the primary goal anyway. Instead, Dundee wants to restore the ship to a better state and also give it some measure of durability.
The Preservation Society is still holding an invitation open for wood turners to make a contribution, but people with 3D printing know-how are welcome to advise as well. Especially since the latter only need a picture of a still intact handle to make new ones.
If you're one of the people who think they can help the Preservation Society out, you can contact them via the form made available on their website.
Some things about the HMS Unicorn
The vessel was one of the best sea ships in its day, with 46 guns if you can believe it. Technically, the ship is classified as a frigate and gets its name from the unicorn sculpture mounted at the bow. The ship was “one of the most successful and charismatic ship designs of the age” and “is a unique survivor from the brief transitional period between the traditional wooden sailing ship and the revolutionary iron steamship.”
