Cindy Wilson/Telegraph-Journal Barry Ogden, president of Marco Polo Project Inc., holds up a steel beam through the ribs of the hull of the Marco Polo replica. Ocean Steel donated $8,000 worth of steel that will be used for the cradle/bed for the ship.

Marco Polo Project
Ocean Steel donation aids Marco Polo II
Cradle will aid in the construction of replica ship

BY DAVID SHIPLEY
Telegraph-Journal

    The Marco Polo project is one step closer to building the Marco Polo II thanks to a donation from Ocean Steel.
   The company donated a steel "cradle" that will help the Marco Polo Project Inc. assemble the ship from 92 wooden ribs that make up its skeleton.
   "It's a great gift," said Marco Polo Project Inc. president Barry Ogden.
   "This is like a bed or a cradle for the Marco Polo to be built on," said Mr. Ogden.
   "This is extremely important and it took a lot of time to make it," he said.
   The cradle is worth about $8,000.
   "It's what we needed to take it to the next level," he said, adding the wooden ribs are all ready to be assembled.
   The Marco Polo II, a replica of the famous Saint John clipper, is a 27-metre non-sailing ship that will be 40 per cent the size of the original. It will have a flat bottom and will rest on land.
   The original Marco Polo was built in 1851 in Marsh Creek as a cargo ship and was refitted in 1852 as a luxury passenger vessel. During its time as a passenger vessel it was renowned as the fastest ship in the world.
   On Dec. 26, 1852, the clipper was declared the fastest ship in the world, circumnavigating the globe in just six months.
   The Marco Polo completed the return leg of that voyage, from Liverpool to Australia, in just 76 days.
   Previous voyages had taken from 100 to 120 days.
   After the replica is constructed the cradle may be used as part of the display, said Mr. Ogden.
   "We're hoping that it will go down towards the Market Square, Water Street area," he said. "It will be up to the city to decide where it goes."
    A final decision on the location for the construction and display of the ship has to be decided by the city and waterfront development, Mr. Ogden said.
   He said the project was slightly behind schedule but he is still hopeful that this spring work will begin on attaching the ribs of the ship. After that's done they'll begin putting the planking on the ship.
   Though the group is making progress in its effort, it still needs to raise more money, he said. Those interested in learning more about the project or making a donation can go to their website at http://new-brunswick.net/marcopolo/index.html to find more information.
    "Things are moving ahead," Mr. Ogden said.
    "I'm very optimistic and Saint Johners just seem to be pulling together and making things happen."

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