NEVER say never – that’s the motto of dedicated groups who campaign to save Clyde-built ships on the verge of destruction.

Scotland’s last remaining turbine steamship, TS Queen Mary, was towed from London to Greenock last year when the breakers’ yard beckoned.

And now, against seemingly impossible odds, it appears that the Port Glasgow-built Falls of Clyde, the world’s last iron-hulled four-masted sailing ship, is to be rescued from ignominious scuttling and a watery grave.

The Friends of Falls of Clyde are trying to raise £1.2 million to bring her back from the other side of the globe.

Built by Russell and Company in 1878, the vessel is rusting in Hawaii, where the Harbours Division had declared her a danger and planned to tow her out of Honolulu harbour and sink her to become a diving tourism attraction.

Now a lift ship is due to pick up the vessel between September and November and, hopefully, take her to the former Ailsa Troon shipyard to be re-built by specialists.

The Falls of Clyde team could learn a lot from the charity, Friends of TS Queen Mary, who have berthed their steamer at Glasgow Science Centre.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is among a list of high-profile people to go on board and raise the profile of continuing attempts to get enough cash to restore and re-open the ship to the public.

Let’s hope the iconic Falls of Clyde is next in line!