The Race Against Rot

Conventionally built wooden ships are designed to flex under stress.  Unicorn was built to an innovative scheme developed by Sir Robert Seppings which was carefully designed to prevent such distortion.  This system was so effective that when Unicorn was docked in 1972 her hull had hogged by a tiny one and a half inches after 150 years afloat.  However, this hog now measures over two feet and the consensus of opinion is that Unicorn should not remain afloat and exposed to the weather for much longer.

A recent photograph showing the hull distortion resultant from decayed timber