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HMS ALLIANCE - Built for service in World War II, she is the memorial to the courageous men who fought in similar boats for the freedom we enjoy today. 

The plight of HMS Alliance today 

Corrosion and Decay Threatens Alliance’s Future  

Since HMS Alliance was first displayed in 1982 and opened to visitors, parts of her infrastructure have deteriorated dramatically, a deterioration that has proved hard to arrest due to difficulties of access.

Lying supported over the sea on concrete cradles next to the Museum quayside, exposure to sea water is causing on-going corrosion to her bow, stern, faring plates and keel.

Gaping holes, caused by aggressive rust over the past 25 years, have opened up a habitat for birds, especially pigeons, whose corrosive excrement is rapidly exacerbating the problems of corrosion.

Without urgent action, HMS Alliance’s future will be one of ever-accelerating severe decay. Although the pressure hull itself is safe, immediate and essential work is required to halt the corrosion before it is too late.

The Star Attraction Needs Better Interpretation

HMS Alliance is one of the most accessible historic submarines in the world, but today’s visitors are not given the best opportunity to understand her fully.

Visitor surveys show that the guided tours led by ex-submariners are appreciated enormously. But exciting parts of the boat are inaccessible to visitors, such as the conning tower and casing, which can be remedied, and artefacts and replicas can create a sense of life on board, to help give visitors a truer experience of the submarine.

The solutions 

Repair or replacement of corroded panels

An urgent programme of restoration is vital to replace the rusted component parts, followed by the provision of facilities to ensure that a proper maintenance regime is possible. At the same time, HMS Alliance’s exterior needs to be restored to her pristine condition.

Creation of dry land beneath the hull

To aid preservation and to create the access necessary for low cost maintenance, it is necessary to reclaim land underneath the submarine so that it is on dry land, using a cofferdam and backfill.

Public access to more parts

To help visitors understand life on board, the living quarters, conning tower, and casing are interesting areas, which need to be made accessible.

Provision of audio tours

For people who don’t speak English, people with learning difficulties, children and other special groups, tailored audio tours are required.

Introduction of artefacts and replicas 

To invoke a sense of the crewed vessel, helping to give visitors a truer sense of life on board, artefacts and replicas need to be introduced. 

Improvement of sound and environment 

To provide dynamism and help people hard of hearing, a new sound system is needed, and a new air conditioning system is required for visitor comfort and for better conservation. 

Construction of a new gallery 

A new gallery is required to provide an historical introduction to HMS Alliance before the tour, to display HMS Alliance artefacts that are only suitable for display on shore, and to offer a virtual tour for people who can’t go on board. 

Encouragement of more volunteers 

To facilitate the wider community becoming involved in both the interpretation of the vessel and its conservation, a volunteer co-ordinator needs to be employed.

How much money is needed? 

The total costs for the refurbishment and remounting of the submarine, establishing new interpretation plans and building an ALLIANCE gallery are estimated to be about £6m (ex VAT).

When will the work begin and how long will it take? 

Work has already started to raise the funds and develop new interpretation systems. The construction work is due to start in early 2011and is due to complete in the summer of 2013.

How much money has been raised so far?

£1.7 million has been raised to date with a pledge of £3m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (which is conditional on the Appeal raising £1.8m by January 2011).