Liverpool is discarding its maritime heritage

The city of Liverpool, known for its strong ties to football and music, has a rich maritime history that has been largely overlooked in recent years. National Museums Liverpool (NML) has decided to focus on acknowledging Liverpool’s role in the transatlantic slave trade rather than preserving its seafaring history. This decision has led to the scrapping of the historic schooner De Wadden, which was the port’s last commercial sailing ship.

The decision to replace De Wadden with a slavery reflection room has sparked controversy among Liverpool residents and ship enthusiasts. Many believe that the ship, which traded around the Irish Sea for decades, deserved to be preserved as a representation of the city’s maritime heritage. Despite claims that De Wadden was beyond repair, questions have been raised about the possibility of raising funds for its restoration.

The move to replace De Wadden with a reflection room is part of the Waterfront Transformation Project, which aims to create a space for education, contemplation, and recreation. However, critics argue that this decision overlooks Liverpool’s unique seafaring history and squanders the city’s potential to showcase its maritime heritage. The lack of interest in preserving historic ships in Liverpool’s docks has raised concerns among the city’s ship-loving community and highlights the importance of protecting these valuable pieces of history.

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