Significance of 'City of Adelaide'

The significance of the City of Adelaide is not in doubt. It is:

• the world's oldest surviving clipper ship,
• one of only two surviving composite clippers (the other is the Cutty Sark; built 1869),
• one of only four surviving sailing ships to have taken emigrants from the British Isles to any destination in the world – the others are the Edwin Fox, Star of India and SS Great Britain (also a steamer),
• the last survivor of the timber trade between North America and the United Kingdom,
• part of the National Historic Fleet of the United Kingdom and listed in the prestigious Core Collection of the United Kingdom.

When considering whether a vessel suitable for including on the UK’s National Register of Historic Vessels, a ship needs to meet these criteria:

1. What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate technological innovation?

The City of Adelaide was built in the years prior to Lloyds publishing their rules for composite ship construction and thus is an important example in the development of composite ships – see also Section 6.2.

2. Is the vessel a good example of type (vessel design) and construction?

The City of Adelaide is one of only two surviving composite clippers and is in reasonably good condition for a vessel of its age – see also Section 6.3.

3. Is the vessel a good example of a maritime function (purpose for which it was built)?

The City of Adelaide is the only surviving purpose built passenger sailing ship – see Section 6.4.

4. Does the vessel exhibit a positive aesthetic impact?

Clipper ships are regarded as being the most graceful of all the sailing ships. The City of Adelaide will need considerable husbandry to improve its cosmetic appearance – see Section 6.5.

5. Does the vessel have historical associations with significant people, places and events?

The City of Adelaide is the only surviving sailing ship built to give regular passenger and cargo service between Europe and Australia, and represents a whole foundation era of Australian economic and social history – see Section 6.6.

6. Does the vessel have significant socio-economic associations?

The City of Adelaide is regarded as a vital icon of the making of modern Australia, and of the relationship between Britain and the Australian colonies – see Section 6.7.

7. Can the percentage of the original fabric (with reference to that surviving at the end of the vessel’s working life) be estimated?

The City of Adelaide has its original hull planking and composite framing and some of its deck timbers are believed to be of 19th century origin – see Section 6.8.

8. What is the vessel’s age?

As of May 2011, the City of Adelaide is 147 years old – see Section 6.9.

9. How scarce are the examples of this vessel type or construction?

The City of Adelaide is the only two surviving composite clipper ships – see Section 6.10.

10. How scarce are examples of this maritime function?

The City of Adelaide is the only surviving purpose built passenger sailing ship – see Section 6.11.