The passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip early this week is justifiably capturing lots of public attention. He was a steady, constructive, productive partner in the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom. He was an effective patron of hundreds of non-profit causes and programs, more thain just a figurehead, but a driving force in their success. To merchant mariners, and historians of the maritime tradition the Prince holds a closer more poignant spot worth remembering for that reason.
One of Prince Philip's more notable works of philanthropy was his leadership in saving, and preserving one the world's most visible artifacts of maritime history's Clipper Ship era, Cutty Sark. If you've ever had the opportunity to visit Greenwich, UK, to see this remarkable exhibit, you've Prince Philip to thank.
Old Salt Blog Saving Cutty Sark-saving-the-clipper-ship-cutty-sark/
What's the connection with Spirit of South Carolina?
Well, on a smaller scale, Spirit of South Carolina is our state's living icon of South Carolina's Maritime heritage. She has no equal of that status. And, like Cutty Sark, her continued existence is largely dependent on the philanthropical underwriting of the community, and the philanthropical leadership to drive it.
In an ideal situation, revenue-generating educational on-board and dockside programs could make her self-sustaining. In reality, Spirit of South Carolina's history, and that of many tall ships show the many revenue gaps that derail, and plague these ship's ability to sustain themselves. Some may recover. Many do not.
Cutty Sark was saved largely by a powerful patron with the influence to energize a nation in the cause of restoring their ship for all the right reasons.
Spirit of South Carolina needs the same leadership now, whether it comes from a single person, an organization, a community of enthusiasts..
No comments:
Post a Comment