DAPS ON TOUR The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society The Daniel Adamson Preservation undertake heavy physical work on Society attended a number of board the vessel. transport gatherings in 2004 to promote the society and raise public At the moment the society is looking awareness of the “Daniel Adamson”. for volunteers who can help at the Model Boat Trade Fair at The Boat DAPS attended the Inland Waterways Museum on March 5th and 6th Association National Campaign Rally No 3 January 2005 Editor: John H. Luxton held at in June, the If can help over this weekend, even if Model Boat Rally in only for an hour or two, please contact August and the Malpas Vintage Rally Colin Leonard – email in September. [email protected] or Neil Marsden. Tel: 01516082868. Attendance at these events, let to the recruitment of a significant number of members.

The society is currently planning an event programme for 2005. At present we are looking to attend the following:

March 5th & 6th Model Boat Trade Fair – The Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port.

August Bank Holiday Weekend: –

Inland Waterways Festival – Preston Brook, Runcorn, . NATIONAL HISTORIC September – Malpas Yesteryear Rally SHIPS REGISTER

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The National Historic Ships Register classifies the relative importance of When DAPS goes “on tour” we need historic ships, influencing the use of members to crew the stand, hand out limited funding and other resources. leaflets, answer queries, sign up new Our ship is not currently in the top members etc. categories, but talks are ongoing, and we hope that 'Danny's many unique Volunteering for duties at events is a features will raise her status, way in which less active members can important for future funding. still make a valuable practical th contribution to the work of the society, The “Daniel Adamson” approaching Warrington. 20 May 1975. Picture by John Slavin (DAPS) -Dan Cross even if they do not feel able to Contents Join a working party! DAPS Contacts & Editors Notes: 2 John Deakin: 9 Those wishing to attend should at present contact: Neil Marsden – 91, Prestbury Chairman’s Letter: 3 D. A. Military Band: 9 Avenue, Prenton CH43 OUQ. Tel: 01516082868 Email: [email protected] Gift Aid & Membership Matters: 4 Heritage Lottery Fund Application: 10

Forthcoming Working Party Dates – January & February 2005 New Members: 5 Competition: 11 Officers and Committee Who’s Who 2: 5 DAPS On Tour: 12 Every Tuesday. Saturdays: January 29, February 12 & 26. March & April: Dates will Restoration Diary: 6 Working Party Dates: 12 be posted on the web site or contact Neil Marsden for further information. www.danieladamson.com 3 12 1 Competition - Name the Mersey Steam Tug Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Officers and Committee Chairman Tony Hirst - 39, Liverpool Road, Chester CH2 1AB Tel: 01244 373880 Email: [email protected] Secretary Patrick Crecraft – 8, Newlands, Naseby, Northampton NN6 6DE Tel: 01604 740144 Email: [email protected] Founding Dan Cross – 17, Cedardale Park, Barrows Green, Widnes. Director Tel: 0151 4231393 Email: [email protected] Treasurer Alan Hughes -11, Rockwood Drive, Skipton BD23 1NF Tel: 01756 701320 Email: [email protected] Press Secretary John Luxton – 236, Smithdown Road, Liverpool L15 5AH Newsletter / Tel: 07973363370 Email:[email protected] Website Editor Fund Raising Diana Skilbeck – 21, Arkwood Close, Bebington CH62 2AU Coordinator Tel: 01513344432 Email: [email protected] Working Party John Deakin – 8, Woodhall Drive, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 5QB Coordinator Tel: 01928573877

Archivist John Griffiths – 24a, Egerton Park, Rock Ferry CH42 4QZ Can you name this Mersey Steam Tug? Please send answers by post or e-mail to Dan Tel: 01516440186 Email: [email protected] Cross (see contacts page 2). Only one entry per member. Closing date 28th February Committee Neil Marsden – 91, Prestbury Avenue, Prenton CH43 OUQ 2005. The answer must match the name on the original picture. Past names and Member Tel: 01516082868 Email: [email protected] subsequent names not accepted. Prize is a bottle of Lanson Black Label Champagne. All correct entrants will have their name put into a hat and drawn out during the first Editor’s Notes Saturday working party of March. Welcome to “The Tow Line” – the new name for the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Newsletter. In addition to the new name you will also note that the size has of The Danny Pulls Her Weight the publication has increased to 12 pages.

Not only has the size of the newsletter been increased, the committee have decided to increase the number of issues published each year from three to four editions with immediate effect.

“The Tow Line” will now be sent to all members towards the end of January, April, July and October.

“The Tow Line” is not intended solely for DAPS news. The committee would also like to encourage members to make contributions, on local nautical and canal matters. If you would like to submit an article and / or photographs please email the editor at [email protected]

The press date for each edition of “The Tow Line” will be the first day of the month of publication.

“The Tow Line” aims to complement the DAPS web site as well as keeping members who are not yet “on-line” in touch with project developments.

- John H. Luxton, Editor The “Daniel Adamson” pictured assisting the steam tug “Mount Manisty” towing the The Tow Line - published end of January, April, July and October. 250 ton crane approaching Barton Bridge. Photo: DAPS member Nigel Farrel. Press date for contributions is the first day of the month of publication.

2 11 Heritage Lottery Fund machinery regularly inspected by their Chairman’s Letter As important as any other work is to surveyors and annual dry-docking. develop a viable plan to sustain the Application. Two MCA surveyors have visited the It seems amazing that it is less than a tug into the future once she is in vessel late last year at our request year since the inaugural meeting last working order. There are a number of As our Chairman has already and a detailed letter has now been February when the Society was born. options, principally dependent on the mentioned at the start of this sent to them detailing exactly want we There was then a bit of a gap until number of passengers and the areas newsletter, we have begun the require of them in terms of listing Easter before the tug was in Daniel that she will operate in. Comparisons process of applying to the Heritage everything they would wish to inspect Adamson Preservation Society of potential income and running costs Lottery Fund (HLF) for funds to to enable us cost a refurbishment ownership and off to Liverpool. Then are being determined as well as develop the restoration of the “Daniel which would eventually lead to the it was a wait again until she went on ensuring that we meet all the Adamson”. After consulting with many issuing of a Class V certificate. The the dock. There were highs and lows, requirements of the Maritime and groups and people who have been MCA also have a hefty scale of a good survey and then some holes Coastguard Agency who are through this process, it is felt that the charges for all survey work and their blasted in the hull. All turned out well responsible for the standards in all most sensible way forward is to first of bill alone from specification, survey, though and she gained her certificate. passenger carrying ships. all apply for a “Project Planning project overseeing right through to There followed a period of hectic work Grant”, as much of the survey work commissioning could well be around by a group of members on three Membership has grown steadily and leading up to a full specification for £10,000. This figure added to dry- working days each week. Sometimes we had a very encouraging day at the restoration being drawn up will incur dockings etc soon becomes very up to twenty people at a time Maritime Museum in the autumn quite considerable cost. large so this is were we envisage the participated. where many existing and non- members turned up. Most of the latter HLF’ s Project Planning Grant to play Boiler survey’s, removal of boiler a very important part in the long Activity progressed throughout the had joined by the end of the day. lagging to allow shell survey, dry- process. summer, the autumn and into the Access to the boat is for security and docking for hull survey and removal of winter. The first part could be classed safety reasons restricted, but we had props and tail shafts for measurement Tony Hirst, John Griffiths and myself as being easier, not in effort but to many members who are not on the of wear down will be a costly process. are co-ordinating this application organise and ensure that all those boat working group visit on this day. Surveyors also don’t come cheap and process and we hope to have the who arrive have a creative and If members wish to see the progress we will require lots of time being spent application for the PPG submitted by satisfying job. As time goes on such on the boat you will be very welcome aboard the vessel by suitable late Feb/ early March. It is a staged organisation becomes harder and to visit on one of the working days. surveyors to ensure we know exactly process and one part cannot begin those organising the work have to Please do not just turn up, as you will will be required for eventual until a previous one is completed. work even more creatively. not be able to gain access to the refurbishment. dock. Please contact Neil Marsden in Once the MCA have finalised what The boat is now secure, the hull advance to make the necessary exactly they require, quotations can sound, the topsides protected from It has always been our aim to see the arrangements. [Contact details p 2] be obtained from various providers, a the weather and much of the rotten “Danny” back in full operation, it is just full estimate drawn up and then material removed. The engines and To sum up we have in less that a year to what level that we have still to submitted along with all the engine room have been cleaned with a dynamic and enthusiastic society finalise. By this I refer to her operating supporting documentation. gleaming brass and the bearings and that in my view has exceeded our restrictions. Do we go for full packing stripped and eased. expectations and has received passenger certification as she had Only once the PPG process is tremendous support from the local before, or do we restrict her operation complete and all surveys drawn up Away from the boat much work has community and industry, a credit to all to crew plus twelve passengers? and conclusions made, can we then gone into developing plans for the concerned. We now have to keep up

begin to cost out the refurbishment of future and raising the money needed the momentum and adapt to the next Our treasurer, Alan Hughes and the vessel to a standard deemed the to undertake the work, all a very slow stage in the restoration process, myself have been working on a most appropriate. Then the long laborious and often frustrating which may not be for some time as business plan so we will have a clear process of submitting a full HLF bid process, but to achieve anything rapid, so we must bear in mind that picture of exactly the costs and can begin. these days one has to follow the patience is a virtue. revenue could be expected for each system. We are currently developing option. Obviously the re-issue of her We will endeavour as ever to keep an initial bid for money from the lottery Thank you to every one who has Class V passenger Cert would be a you all informed and will report to you to enable us to commission work that helped in the success of DAPS, I clear advantage but with that comes as soon as we have some feedback/ will enable us to make a bid for major hope everyone had a good Christmas greatly enhanced safety rules and news. funding to restore the tug to working and lets hope that next year is as regulations to adhere to as laid down - Dan Cross and carrying order. successful as the last. Wishing all by the Maritime and Coast Guard members a Happy New Year. Agency. These include all hull and - Tony Hirst 10 3 Gift Aid It! Main Saloon - 1936 by contacting the secretary, or asking Half the membership has kindly a committee member). completed a Gift-Aid form - and the treasurer has applied to the Simply sign and post it to the government for a figure equivalent to secretary (address in the newsletter). 28% of all their membership and other donations - a four figure sum - thanks It really doesn't hurt! It truly costs you Gordon! nothing except postage (Gordon

Brown won’t go snooping through If we've had your form - please feel your tax returns - and no hidden smug & read no further (with our DAPS volunteers, lecturers and students snags). Grab a pen now and it’s done from TTE with the Sentinel Steering Engine sincere thanks). - and you've helped us again to

restore “Daniel Adamson”. On delivery to the TTE the process of If not - please obtain a Gift-Aid form Interior of the main saloon unloading the windlass was reversed (as sent to you, or obtain one from the photographed following refit in 1936. - Pat Crecraft, Secretary with the aid of the forklift truck From the Percy Dunbervand completing in minutes what had taken Collection. Further photographs will over half an hour of physical labour. ƒ Member numbers - are appear in the next edition. Membership Matters necessary for grant-aid and It’s never been a better time to join us! other major funding (which we - New memberships cover you until must attract), to demonstrate May 2006 widespread support for the

project from many people. John Deakin D.A. Military Band The Society now has 180 members, since we were hastily formed in late ƒ Direct help. Without the The committee were very concerned Some time ago the society was February 2004. (Recent new unstinting support of those local in early December when John Deakin, approached by the Daniel Adamson members are listed below). members who have the health our tireless Working Party Organiser, Military Band - yes really!

and skills or eagerness to assist, was taken into hospital. A handful of members have joined we would be hard pressed to Daniel Adamson was involved in the from Belgium, Ireland, and Scotland, move forward. Those who live Though he is now at home on “light creation of the Manchester Ship and 10 from Wales. elsewhere can also help in many duties” he will need to return to Canal, but also ran engineering and

ways (let me know if you would hospital for an operation in the near boiler works in Dukinfield, and Roughly equal enrolments from the like to). future. encouraged formation of a works North, Midlands and South total over band, in 1888. The band rapidly 50. The remainder, over 100, are local For those who joined in 2004, renewal We wish him well and a speedy became popular, and played at the to Merseyside. is 1st May 2005 (forms will be sent recovery, the Daniel Adamson needs opening ceremony of the M.S.C.

nearer the time). Your continued him. Your membership is vital to us for support is vital towards restoring the Originally a reed band, they became a several reasons: 'Danny'. Until John is able to return to his 'military band' by adding brass in

duties Neil Marsden will be 1919, and despite the world wars, ƒ The money! Your subscriptions So thank you for assisting the project coordinating working parties. kept going - playing again at the MSC and other donations have formed - simply being a member provides centenary in 1994. a substantial part of our income, massively effective support. Get a Requests to join working parties and literally made possible the friend to join if you can! (I'll send you should be directed to Neil whose We hope to have them play, at the rescue of the Daniel Adamson. forms). Please ensure you've contact details can be found on page I.W.A. National rally later this year at We need this source to continue returned a Gift-Aid form. two. Runcorn, where the Daniel Adamson to ensure the essential Preservation Society shall also have a restoration work can continue Please contact me with any gripes, presence. (including 'match-funding' for questions or bright ideas. Have a grant-aid). really grand New Year! - Pat Crecraft- Secretary

- Pat Crecraft Secretary

4 9 November WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

Joining after the last edition of the newsletter. Work to remove the timber decking

continued during November. Whilst the steel decking was found to be in (f) – family member excellent condition, it was discovered Mike Bell North Somerset Trevor Jenkins Middlesex (f) that corroded bolts had been the John Broomby Cheshire (f) Stephen Lawrinson Cheshire (f) source of water ingress into the B & D Bullough Manchester (f) David Lawson Flintshire accommodation below. Temporary Paul Byles Northants Chris Miller Ireland plywood decking was installed to John Deakin inspects a cleaner starboard B & B Cox Sheffield (f) Martin Murphy Wirral engine following the October cleaning replace the timber decking. operation. Jim Davison Derbyshire Alan Oliver Liverpool Garry Dickinson Shropshire D.W. Pearce Notts (f) Chris Doyle Merseyside Larry Radford Merseyside (f) John Drinkwater Notts Mark Reynolds Merseyside December Albert Fleming Cheshire. Simon Salem St. Albans Alan St. Helens Deryk Simpson Bolton nd Allan Gallimore Cheshire Mike Stewart Notts On Thursday December 2 a mobile Gerald Gibson Notts Peter Stewart Wirral (f) crane arrived on the quayside. Fred Graham Tyne & Wear (f) Lewis Tickle York Provided by one of our commercial Walter Graham Liverpool A. Tuffrey Wirral (f) supporters – North Western Ship Brian Gregory Cheshire M. E. Warren Wirral Repairers – the crane had arrived to E.J. Hall Cheshire G F Weston Flintshire lift the Sentinel steam steering engine Douglas Hall Cheshire (f) K & G Williams Notts (f) from its lofty perch in the ship’s wheel Richard Havard Newport Albert Glenys Cheshire (f) house and lower it to the quayside. Michael Healing Wirral (f) Gordon Wright West Lancs Ilan Howatson Cheshire Malcolm Yeomans Powys The reason for the removal of the Edward Irlam Cheshire (f) Inland Waterways As. Chester steam steering engine was to facilitate NSL’s crane removes the Sentinel Steam its delivery to TTE Training of Steering Engine. Ellesmere Port for overhaul. At Ellesmere Port John Huxley, Colin Officers and Committee – Who’s who? Part 2 TTE Training is an Engineering Leonard and Pat Brennan were Training School which prepares its waiting to assist with the off loading. We continue our look at the people In this edition profiles of our secretary students for a variety of careers in the actively involved in the running of the Pat Crecraft and Working Party engineering industry. TTE's Training Officer, Peter Baugh “Daniel Adamson Preservation Coordinator John Deakin are featured was on hand to assist in proceedings Society”. During December DAPS was able to having given up a large part of his day welcome a group of lecturers and off, in order to open up and store the Pat Crecraft students from TTE led by Peter items for overhaul. I've always had wet feet, beginning on Baugh prior to delivery of the steering for restoration, until moving back to the Trent near Nottingham, enjoying engine. A short time later the Ellesmere Port the Midlands. Enjoyed jazz evenings sailing and canal boating over the volunteers joined John Griffiths and on the 'Danny' long ago, and years. The Daniel Adamson's steering Neil Marsden at the Boat Museum, happened to be at the 'Port when her engine was collected from the Ellesmere Port. At the museum the demise was announced. Got involved as an early volunteer quayside at Salisbury Dock on group successfully manhandled the with the Boat Museum (then Saturday December 11, lifted aboard two main components of the “Daniel Lots of competent (and younger!) N.W.M.I.N.), restoring the mini-tug John Griffith's trailer using a set of Adamson” windlass onto John people rushed to help - but no-one Worcester (and its Bolinder engine) sheer legs and delivered to the Griffith’s trailer, no mean feat volunteered as Secretary - so it's with Tony Hirst and others, later premises of TTE Training. considering the weight of the thing. something I can do from afar (and becoming a committee member doesn't involve humping limestone!) responsible

8 5 John Deakin company transferred to the Old Quay Removal of the forward timber removing a great deal of rotten timber based traffic tugs as second engineer decking revealed the steelwork as well as drawing off the bulkhead Working Party Coordinator John on the steam tugs before moving to beneath to be in excellent condition. glands on both port and starboard Deakin started work with the the diesel tugs and then becoming Jack Nulty and Gordon Owen who propeller shafts, ready for Company at relief chief engineer on both steam undertook much of the deck removal examination and checking of packing the age of 14 as mate on a barge and diesel vessels. also chipped off loose paint and rust etc. carrying general cargo from Liverpool In the 1960s John moved to the before applying a coat of primer paint Daniel Adamson as second engineer to the exposed metal. to Manchester. By the end of September Eddie Doig before progressing to chief engineer had completed painting the foredeck where he served on both traffic and At 16 he transferred to the river tugs Down below, John Deakin, Nigel store. hospitality sailings. based at Ellesmere Port which towed Farrell and Neil Marsden lifted the barges across the Mersey. He worked engine room floor plates and started A move to the dredging department as a fireman on the tugs until they the clearance of twenty years followed where he worked as a crane were sold to the Rea Group around accumulation of oily grunge from the driver on the "No 1 Hopper" before 1948. bilges. moving to the Frodsham Pumping John moved on to Ables, working on a Station where he served as chief dredger before departing for National engineer for around 10 years. During On Saturday September 19 four bin Service in 1949. his time at Frodsham John would also bags of this treacle like gunge were serve on the “Daniel Adamson” when removed in readiness for a thorough Following demob in 1951 he returned they required a chief engineer on clean-up of the area with a steam to the Manchester Ship Canal board. cleaner. Company as relief fireman, before Daniel Adamson is now well protected from John took early severance from the the worst of the weather. moving on to the traffic tugs as Dave Broomby and John Hake set to MSC in 1987 moving on to work in the fireman. During this period he work in the after accommodation, progressed to second engineer before fish and chip shop business. He has moving to the Ship Canal Company been manager of several over the suction dredger “Princess Juliana” years and still fries two shifts a week. working the Eastham Channel. October John renewed his acquaintance with the Daniel Adamson in February 2004 The working party which assembled Svitzer Marine's oil recovery vessel Westminster Dredging acquired the nd MSC dredging operation in the 1950s, on the formation of the Daniel on Saturday October 2 broke all “Polgarth” for a few hours along with John remaining with the canal Adamson Preservation Society. previous records. Sixteen volunteers Svitzer’s steam cleaner. attended contributing a total of 108 hours of hard work. Restoration Diary On Tuesday October 5th “Polgarth” arrived and the entire engine room All the remaining deck plates in the was steamed out. September engine room were removed during this weekend to facilitate the entire The bilge water ladened with grease Work on the deck covers was It had become very apparent that the engine room and especially the bilges and oil was then pumped into the completed by mid September. The timber decking on the “Daniel to be steam cleaned. covers now provide excellent shelter Adamson” was now in a very poor “Polgarth”. from the elements enabling all condition and posed a hazard to those Since September several members manner of jobs to be undertaken working on board. It was decided that DAPS would like to record a big lead by John Deakin had been without interruption from the weather. the best course of action would be to thank-you to Svitzer Marine for their working in the engine room bilges remove the decking. assistance once again. With the “digging” out many inches of thick bilges clean the engine room plates, DAPS is very grateful to Bill black tar-like substance as well as ladders and covers were replaced the Thompson of JPS Scaffolding Ltd for However, prior to removal a detailed removing all broken glass etc. following weekend. assistance rendered in making photographic survey of the entire Following the removal of solids, Dan “Daniel Adamson” weatherproof. timber deck area was undertaken to Cross arranged for us to borrow provide a record for its eventual restoration. 6 7