Editing SS Robin (section)

===1974 to 2002===
[[File:SS Robin Nov05.jpg|right|thumb|SS ''Robin'', November 2005.]]
''Maria'' was discovered by the [[Maritime Trust]] in 1972. Following an inspection, it was decided that she was worth preserving, and in May 1974 she was purchased, on the brink of being sold to Spanish breakers. In June 1974 she came home to [[St Katharine Docks]] under her own steam and was renamed ''Robin''. She was restored at a cost of £250,000, with most work taking place in 1974 and 1975 at the Doust & Co shipyard at [[Rochester, Kent]], and was subsequently moored in St Katharine Docks.<ref name=NatHistShips /><ref name=OldHist /> She was moved to new moorings in 1991 at [[West India Quay]] but fell into disrepair.<ref name=Robin2008press>{{cite web |title=Relief as world's oldest complete steamship avoids scrapyard |url=http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk/item_10073.html |website=Shipping Times |date=27 May 2008 |access-date=12 June 2013}}</ref>

In 2000 David and Nishani Kampfner were looking for a unique space to be transformed into an area for innovation and learning. They bought ''Robin'' for £1. In 2002, SS Robin Trust was created to bring awareness to the general public about the importance of the ship. With the help of many volunteers they began restoration on this coastal steamer.