Oriana
In 2008 a full
hull builder's model of the passenger liner Oriana was donated to
the museum. It is unusual as it is an interactive model with
a moving seascape, ship movement, rotating propellers and internal
lighting. Unfortunately it was in a fairly poor
condition, although luckily the mechanism was still sound and
therefore the ship could still move. Oriana is a very
significant ship as it was the last great passenger liner to be
built in Barrow-in-Furness.
A bespoke display cabinet
was designed and built for the model to protect it from further
damage and to allow public display. However, considerable
conservation work is required to carry out repairs to the model and
preserve it.
In May 2009, some conservation
work was performed (see photos below) - the driving mechanism was
repaired where necessary, the felt curtain around the seascape was
replaced and the seascape was throughly cleaned and
repaired. Very delicate and detailed work is required
and therefore this was three days work for two model
conservators.
The second phase of
conservation will involve specialist cleaning of the hull and
superstructure as well as the repair or replacement of a number of
the damaged parts of the ship (e.g. new rigging, repositioning of
human figures, repair of scuffs and cracks). The work
will take place in April 2010.
Conservation work in progress in May 2009.
The seascape is re-attached with new wire.
The oil stains are removed.
The crack in the seascape is repaired.
The new curtain around the seascape is pinned and glued.