Weather conditions delayed the planned Jan. 15 drydocking of the Falls of Clyde, the Friends of Falls of Clyde said today in a news release.

The 130-year-old vessel was scheduled to make her first seagoing voyage in 41 years when it was to be towed to the Marisco drydock facility at Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor, where her condition was to be assessed by a team of marine surveyors, the release said.

The decision to halt the voyage was made 24 hours before the ship was scheduled to leave her current berth at Pier 7 in Honolulu Harbor. Wind and sea conditions that would jeopardize the safety of the ship had been predicted for Jan. 15 and to last throughout the weekend, the release said.

The Falls of Clyde will have to wait for another opening in the drydock's tight schedule and the coordination of associated logistics, such as coordinating the tow with an available tug. Drydocking the ship may also be delayed by potential environmental issues that have recently been identified by the Friends of Falls of Clyde.

"During the final preparations for the tow, some potential environmental hazards within the ship were identified and an investigation is being conducted" said Bruce McEwan, president of the Friends of Falls of Clyde, the nonprofit organization that took over ownership of the vessel in September 2008. "Nothing of this nature was disclosed when we took ownership of the ship. We have communicated our concerns to Bishop Museum."

Scientific testing is currently being done. Once it is completed, decisions will be made with regard to the next steps for preservation. Meanwhile, the Falls of Clyde will remain berthed at Pier 7 until it can be safely taken to drydock.