A feasibility study by the City Council estimated the cost of buying Nomadic and returning it to Belfast would be approximately £750,000. An estimated £7m would then be required to restore it to its former glory, at which time it could serve as the centrepiece of a tourist magnet Titanic Quarter planned for the city.

Other components of a Titanic Quarter would include the Harland & Wolff slipway where Titanic was built, the drawing office which produced the blueprints for the world's most famous ship, and the Thompson Dock and pump house where it was fitted out.

Northern Ireland Office Social Development Minister David Hanson announced the setting up of a charitable trust to coordinate fundraising and oversee restoration of the Nomadic. When the vessel has been returned to Belfast it is likely to be listed on the core collection of the National Historic Ships Register and become eligible for possible grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Belfast Harbour Commissioners have agreed to provide a berth for the ship to allow the trust time to arrange for restoration works. If the trust is unable to make progress over the next 18 months there is a threat that Nomadic could be sold again to prevent it from deteriorating.

Nomadic Appeal (www. save nomadic. com) coordinator David Scott-Beddard was on board Nomadic with a BBC television crew nine days before the auction and reports being pleasantly surprised by the 67m LOA ship's overall good condition. The non-original superstructure was removed in 2003 to expedite towage under bridges from Paris to Le Havre, where the vessel currently rests. However, below deck nearly all the original plaster and panelling is in place, as are original outer doors and hinges, wooden doorframes with ornate carving, built in wall mirrors, wall reliefs, decorative window frames , doors, iron grills, staircases and wooden benches, all reflecting the luxurious original standards of the vessel which delivered luminaries such as John Jacob Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim to meet Titanic outside Cherbourg harbour on 10 April 1912.

Scott-Beddard argued passionately and convincingly before the auction, 'I cannot stress strongly enough the unique opportunity presented to Belfast by the S/S Nomadic. Her return to Belfast would be a worldwide news event. Northern Ireland is striving to present a new image to the world and tourism is essential to any country's income. The thousands of Titanic enthusiasts that would flock to Belfast would bring in £ millions in revenue, to not just the city but to the country in general.'

MJ Information No: 21532