Tall Ship Glenlee: Italian shipping magnate Achille Lauro revealed as saviour of historic Glasgow sailing vessel

However, new research has revealed that Italian tycoon Achille Lauro is also likely to have played a crucial role in saving Glasgow’s historic Tall Ship Glenlee from the scrapyard after the First World War in a shrewd business move that may also have propelled his own rise to success.

The vessel is now a visitor attraction moored on the River Clyde beside the Riverside Museum west of the city centre.

Historian and vice-chair of the Glenlee’s trustees Elizabeth Allen revealed her findings at the Scottish Maritime History Conference, which shed new light on the missing chapter in the history of one of the last five remaining Clyde-built steel-hulled cargo sailing ships and the only one in the UK.

Mystery has surrounded a period in the 1920s when the Port Glasgow-built vessel was in Italian ownership between being a British cargo vessel and a Spanish naval training ship. Launched in 1896, Glenlee spent its entire career abroad until being rescued from dereliction and towed back to Glasgow for restoration 30 years ago.

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Ms Allen said: “The years between 1920 and 1922 are the least known era in the 127-year history of Tall Ship Glenlee, and it had not been known why she was sold again, just two years after undergoing substantial investment in her."