My fourteen years with the World Bank during the 1970s and 1980s, including a three-year posting in the Yemen Arab Republic, marked the beginning of a career that exposed me to cultures and communities far removed from either rural England where I was born, or small-town America where I began my university education. This early international experience shaped my outlook and led me to work later with different organisations and across a range of countries where I was privileged to contribute to projects addressing complex social and economic challenges.
As retirement approached, I returned to England, but as all of you will understand, retirement does not equal disengagement from working entirely, and I am currently Chairman of the Unicorn Preservation Society. This is an extraordinary charity which cares for HMS Unicorn, Scotland’s oldest ship and the third oldest warship afloat in the world.
Launched in 1824, she has retained exceptional levels of original fabric and fittings, having never been fully rigged for sea after the Napoleonic Wars; it is estimated that up to ninety-five per cent of the ship remains original. Now a floating museum in Dundee, HMS Unicorn offers a rare insight into nineteenth-century naval life.
Built at Chatham Dockyard during a pivotal period in naval engineering, HMS Unicorn is a Leda class frigate incorporating Sir Robert Seppings’ innovative small timber system, strengthened with iron knees and diagonal riders, marking a transition from traditional wooden construction.
Over two centuries, HMS Unicorn has served as a depot ship, training vessel and naval headquarters during both World Wars, and training environment for more than 1,500 women of the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Visitors today can explore original spaces, including the Mess Deck and Captain’s Cabin.
HMS Unicorn is not simply a museum, but a living historic ship of international importance and at the same time currently lends itself to local activities, especially with youth. Our team works with a variety of partners such as schools, colleges and universities, charities and other third sector organisations. We offer training, employment, educational placements and learning opportunities particularly for young people facing barriers to employment. So much more to tell you, so please follow our history and current engagement by visiting our website: www.hmsunicorn.org.uk.
Welcome aboard!
* Christine began sailing when she was 69 and is now proud part owner of (and has been sailing for ten years with) Overlord, a 1936 built 58-foot Bermudan sloop (www.sailoverlord.org), so when the opportunity to become a trustee of a 200 hundred year old sailing ship she jumped at the chance!
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KEYWORDS life after retirement, oak timbers, Scotland, warship
