However, the inbound Capt Goddard (an experienced Naval Hydrographer) concluded from his provisional survey that the inbound transit at least was marginally possible, although owing to the excessive draft of the ship it was considered only possible at Extraordinary Springs (the highest tides of the year), when Capt Goddard reckoned to have a least underkeel clearance of 3' 6". But elsewhere on this site it is explained why the outbound transit would have to be made earlier on the tide when there would be 3' 0" less water, with obvious implications once the ship had gone through to Plas Newydd.

However, this was at a time when the massive post-war merchant fleet rebuilding programme was in full swing, which together with the large numbers killed at sea during that war translated into unprecedented demand for new young seagoing officers, and the obvious opportunity which Plas Newydd represented to be able to expand the intake of cadets to contribute income towards aquiring and developing the proposed new shore establishment. But that heightened demand wasn't likely to last very long, and in 1949 the time could already be envisaged when, with roots well established ashore at Plas Newydd and the inevitable future decline in cadet numbers, the ship would become a costly and unneccessary surplus to requirements. It was inevitable that Plas Newydd would one day replace the ship, but which still left the vexed problem of the outwad transit.

However, and whatever the merits of the case, the decision was made, and on the 31 foot Liverpool tide of 13th April 1949^{(Admiralty Tide Tables)} (the highest tide of that year), Captain Goddard took the ship through the Swellies to his pre-prepared mooring at Plas Newydd. This is well narrated by Captain Goddard himself in the ^{extract from the chapter (PDF)} he wrote in a later edition of John Masefield's book 'The Conway'. Although he makes light of it, that inbound tow was far from uneventful, and reading beween the lines Capt Goddard was extremely fortunate to have got away with it.

Captain Goddard retired three months after taking the ship through to be replaced by Captain Hewitt. Altogether the ship lay to the Plas Newydd mooring for four years when it was decided to dry-dock her on the Mersey for a refit. Accordingly Captain Hewitt attempted the outward tow on 14th April 1953, also on an identical 31 foot Liverpool tide,^{(Admiralty Tide Tables)} but the ship was driven ashore by an unusually powerful tide which, as it fell, reduced this very stoutly built ship to a total constructive loss in a matter of a few hours. An Account of this day and its ongoing aftermath, together with an in-depth analysis of the physical factors which resulted in the loss form the subject of this site.