The Scottish Government has ordered a detailed investigation into all options for the future of the City of Adelaide ship.
The Wear-built vessel, pictured, has also been granted a stay of execution, with the March 31 deadline for destruction now extended to May.
Scottish Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said a detailed evaluation of possible options for the historic clip
per, including moving the ship to Sunderland, is now under way.
The news comes as the Sunderland City of Adelaide Recovery Foundation (Scarf) battles to save the ship from destruction, and keep it from the clutches of a rival Australian team who want to take the 150-year-old vessel Down Under.
Ms Hyslop said: "Historic Scotland has recently commenced a detailed evaluation of possible options in order to help support the eventual decision-making process. "These options are – removal to Sunderland, removal to Adelaide in South Australia, retention in an a different location in Scotland; and managed Deconstruction of the vessel.
"None of these options is straightforward, but by undertaking this exercise we will be able to take a fully informed and open decision as to the best outcome for the vessel."
Ms Hyslop met the Australian team at the beginning of the year.
The team has now had its bid accepted as "technically feasible" by the Scottish Martime Museum, which owns the Adelaide, and trustees have agreed to halt the destruction.
Scarf is busy putting together its own bid for recovery.
