Acclaimed Beatles biographer backs Salvor mast campaign

TOP Beatles biographer Mark Lewisohn has given his support to Shipping Lines’ campaign to save the world famous Salvor ship’s mast which featured in the Fab Four’s momentous first photo-shoot featuring Ringo Starr, seen left.

“I wish you well with your campaign and I do hope you succeed,” said Lewisohn, above left with Shipping Lines’ founder Peter Elson.

“I’d long assumed that all traces of the Salvor had gone, so I’m pleased to hear that the mast and derricks have survived, albeit in poor condition and under threat.”

The historic mast is now lying in pieces in a Liverpool City Council yard and is threatened with

being scrapped, having been cut down from its former position by the Royal Liver Building, at St Nicholas Place, on The Strand, due to a change in the traffic system.

DISMEMBERED SALVOR MAST IN CITY COUNCIL YARD. PICTURE: JONATHAN BROWN, SHARE THE CITY

This is in spite of promises by Cllr Nick Small and a city council spokeswoman confirming in the Liverpool Echo three years ago that the mast would be “securely stored and relocated”.

Shipping Lines is campaigning for the Salvor mast to be restored and relocated to a popular waterfront site where it can be accessible to Beatles fans and tourists from all over the world.

Mark Lewisohn is regarded as the group’s definitive biographer and thought by many to know more about the Beatles than anyone alive – including the two surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. It is rumoured that if Paul McCartney can’t recall a specific episode in his life he calls Mark Lewisohn to check.

Spencer Leigh, Merseyside’s leading pop and rock music writer and broadcaster, said: “I hope people are picking up on Shipping Lines Beatles Salvor Mast Campaign. At the Beatles Legacy Group meeting your efforts were highly praised and it got unanimous approval.
“The Beatles Legacy Group supports the plan to install the mast of SS Salvor on the waterfront. It will be a photo-opportunity for Beatle fans and also provide a link to our important maritime history.”

Leigh added that at the Beatles Festival 2023, he mentioned the campaign during one of the presentations and the audience of 150 people all raised their hands when asked if they supported the initiative.