WE KNOW very little or indeed nothing of the history behind the Gull but all we know is that this week, it appears that an essential piece of our country’s heritage is being ripped apart.
Can you imagine being down by the shore in Brixham, Devon and witnessing the Golden Hind being eviscerated; can you imagine seeing the Cutty Sark being ripped up in Greenwich or the Britannia being melted down in Leith Docks?
No, nor can we.
This “essential piece of our countrys heritage” as the writer has pointed out has been in a state of disrepair for decades, it is so damaged and wrecked that it was an eyesore along the Thames, this vessel should have been preserved a long time ago, however, successive local governments have seen fit to allow this once famous vessel to fall apart and with it some local history, but then what do we expect from local councils that don’t seem to care about the surrounding area.
I agree the Gull Lightship was an important piece of heritage to the country, but not it seems to the Thurrock Council, if somebody had agreed to pay for the removal and restoration work like English Heritage, that would have been fine, but with this council if it doesnt make money, then it doesnt happen, I suppose they could have obtained money from the cash box called, the QE2 bridge and Tunnels after all it is making 1/4 Million pounds aday, not including the VAT, no wonder multi million pound companies are lineing up to buy it, and give the Government the VAT only which must amount to well over 150Millions a year, surely this council could afford to sponsor the rebuilding of the Gull, you think how much Industrial land rent they receive plus all of the rents from the council houses,plus council taxes,you work it out if you think the council couldnt afford it..