Sir, - The former Minister for Defence, Mr Andrews, according to his letter to Alderman Sean Neeson (Letters, October 8th), believes that "restoration of Asgard could produce a yacht which would be a replica rather than an authentic preservation of this historically valuable artefact."
Had Mr Andrews taken the trouble to consult us before his decision to make her a museum exhibit, we would have produced evidence that Asgard's deck, her entire superstructure and a larger number of her hull planks date not from Erskine Childers's time but only from as recently as the early 1960s when she was extensively rearranged to make her functional as a sail training vessel. What is genuine Colin Archer in her as she stands today in Kilmainham Jail are her keel, her oak frames and her rudder. All of these are in good, reparable condition.
As to her innards, she has been completely gutted. There is nothing there. What the Asgard Restoration Project seeks to do is retore her to Archer's original design - the gentleman's yacht as she was built for Erskine and Molly Childers.
Many years ahead, when she will have done valuable national service as a national heritage vessel and carried our flag abroad with considerable pride and is finally in need of a long rest, she can retire proudly to stand as a tribute to Irish craftsmanship and loving care for a most valuable national asset.
Do what Mr Andrews wants done and future generations of Irish people will hang their heads in shame at the sight of her rotting and crumbling in, of all places, our National Museum! - Yours, etc.,
Chairman, Asgard Restoration Project Ltd, Raheny, Dublin 13.