HMS Carrick, the only 19th Century wooden passenger sailing ship to survive in the UK, has been saved from deconstruction. The buyer, a businessman from Taunton, paid the Scottish Maritime Museum £1 on the promise he would refloat her and attempt to return her to Falmouth.

Launched in Sunderland in 1864, HMS Carrick – or The City of Adelaide as she was originally known – carried cargo and emigrants to the ports of South Australia. Researchers estimate more than 60% of the current population of the state of South Australia can trace their families’ arrival to the ship.

The City of Adelaide went on to become a cargo carrier, floating isolation hospital and then a training vessel for the Royal Navy, which is when she became known as HMS Carrick.

Now, after several failed attempts to preseve her, HMS Carrick lies on a Scottish slipway facing imminent break-up.

Her new owner, Tim Roper, will arrange for her to be salvaged and transported to the picturesque Carrick Roads in Falmouth, where she will be used to promote the history and heritage of the River Fal.

‘She is a lovely old ship with a fascinating past,’ said Mr Roper. ‘I envisage turning her into a floating restaurant, an art gallery, a floating hotel, a college or even a unique office space for the hi-tech and creative industries.’

For further information, please email Mr Roper on timroper@tiscali.co.uk or ring him on 01460 281227.Photos: Above: HMS Carrick in her glory days, and right: as she is now