Stabilisation of the Research LK62: 2020
Stabilisation of the Research LK62
The Museums Galleries Scotland Recognition Funded conservation project continues with Boats Club volunteers working with museum staff to stabilise the “Research”. This large wooden boat is an important exhibit in the museum’s collection being one of the few surviving examples of the Zulu class of fishing boat. Because she is on dry land she doesn’t have the pressure of the water on her hull to maintain her shape. Also, she no longer has deck beams in place and as a result she requires some additional support.
Because the hull is tending to splay outwards due to the effect of gravity, a number of steel cables are being installed across the hull at deck level. The tension in these steel cables will maintain the shape of the hull. In addition, several of the frames of the hull are being reinforced with new wooden clamps.
