DANIEL ADAMSON

[Dalesman]

Historic Mersey Tug/tender set to Steam Again

£200,000 fundraising appeal launched

 

Saved dramatically within hours of going under the cutters torch in 2004 by a small group of enthusiasts, the steam tug ‘Daniel Adamson’ which plied the waters of the Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal for almost 80 years from 1903 to 1984, is set to steam again.

 

Withdrawn from service in 1984, the vessel was in a serious state of neglect until a small group of volunteers stepped up to save her and had her moved to Liverpool Docks and formed the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (‘DAPS’)

 

Expanding to a group of over 450 members from all walks of life and after spending 70,000 hours in 7 years of backbreaking work to save her, the volunteers are now on the verge of returning this unique, Mersey built steam tug/tender back to working life.

 

Charitable trust in £2.6 million lottery bid

 

Dan Cross, ‘DAPS’ Chairman, said ‘We have had great support from charitable foundations, local authorities, Port owners and Utility companies to save the vessel and provide a secure berth but now we really do need that ‘shipyard job’ and we have to raise a serious amount of funding. We are launching this appeal, the ‘Full Steam Ahead’ campaign, to ask both the ordinary citizens and corporate bodies to help return this unique vessel back to a working life.’ As part of our match funding we are aiming to raise £200,000 from membership, members of the public, corporate donations and from Charitable grant giving trusts and organisations.

 

Financial support for the project has already been received from a number of charitable trusts to enable a significant amount of restoration work to go ahead but the next stage of the project requires the services of a Shipyard with the costs estimated at close to £3million. These costs centre around the boiler and hull repairs together with the need for modern systems such as a silenced, modern generator, toilet waste and bilge holding tanks along with Fresh Water tanks to meet current safety standards. DAPS will shortly be submitting a major funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

 

 

Steam back on the Mersey and Ship Canal

 

When completed the vessel will meet specifications laid down by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the work has been planned to not alter the overall character of the vessel and indeed has been planned in close consultation with National Historic Ships in London. Once operational the vessel will be licensed to carry 100 passengers in the restored art deco style saloon that this proud vessel once boasted.

 

Working closely with local museums to develop a full range of educational programmes, when restored it is planned to sail the tug on her home waters of the Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver carrying passengers of all ages, including those making journeys of nostalgia, school children and community groups.

 

 

TV’s ‘Antiques Roadshow’ star Paul Atterbury support

 

The unique nature of the vessel and its status as major national restoration project is now supported by art-deco expert Paul Atterbury of ‘Antiques Roadshow’ renown who has visited the vessel several times between filming and has committed his support to the fund raising campaign, recently taking on the role of Patron of the Society. Paul was particularly impressed with the lavish art-deco saloon created in 1936 by craftsmen from John Brown Shipyard on the Clyde, builders of the first famous Cunard ‘Queens’, when the vessel was used as the Manchester Ship Canal Company’s Directors inspection vessel. The saloons will be refurbished to the stylish and opulent standard.

 

Funding the ‘Living Memory’

 

Dan Cross said ‘When in steam in the hey-day of shipping on the Mersey and the canals, the ‘Daniel Adamson’ was an impressive sight and we want to recreate that scene for everyone to enjoy, not just for those who may remember her.

 

‘As well as appealing for donations, we are planning a number of events to raise funds including dinners, trips out with the Mersey Ferries and Llangollen Railway. All donations will be treated as donations towards the “Full Ahead” campaign and as such, will form part of the match funds. All money donated will be placed into our bank account and only used to match fund a potential grant from HLF. In effect the donations will be securely “ring fenced”. Donations should be sent to George Robinson, Treasurer, Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, Southwood Cottage , 79 Southwood Road, Cottingham, HU16 5AJ with cheques made payable to ‘Daniel Adamson Preservation Society’

 

• For Membership and general enquiries please contact John Broomby, Membership Secretary on: 0161-969-2903 or e-mail membership@danieladamson.co.uk

Membership enquiries can also be sent to him at: 28 Brookfield Drive, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 6QR

• If you wish to contact the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, the website is www.danieladamson.co.uk or you can e-mail Dan on chairman@danieladamson.co.uk

• DAPS recently passed the initial stage towards getting a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is now developing its grant application for the final second stage with the assistance of HLF's mentoring scheme. If successful, the HLF grant will cover much of the tug tender's restoration, including vital boiler refurbishment, plus educational outreach programmes. The HLF previously awarded two project planning grants in 2006 and 2008.

 

 

 

[

 

Saturday 30th July.

Full Steam Ahead on the Daniel Adamson River and Dock Cruise.

Departing Seacombe 10:00, Liverpool 10:10 and Woodside 10:20.

After a short river cruise, The ferry will lock into and travel the full length of the operational North docks with expert on-board commentary from our Vice Chairman, Stuart Wood who will be accompanied by Andy Ball from BBC Radio Merseyside. The cruise will extend as far as Sandon Half-tide Basin, enabling those on board to get excellent views of the ‘Daniel Adamson from the water rather than the quayside.

 

Tickets will be just £20 each for the four hour cruise and are available from the three Mersey Ferries terminals.

Alternatively if you live away and will be travelling in on the day, limited tickets are available from Mr Kevin Price, 21 Lawson Close, Woolston, Warrington, WA1 4EG

 

 

All proceeds from the cruise will go to the Society and go towards our "Full Steam Ahead" campaign to raise match funding for our Heritage Lottery Fund application

Edited March 26, 2011 by Dalesman

[Dalesman]

Interesting video now on YouTube

Edited March 27, 2011 by Dalesman

[Randwick]

I was fortunate enough to visit her (him?) at Ellesmere Port back in the 90's. Jack Skinner and I were invited to look around by an ex-BP marine engineer (female) who'd spent many months re-furbishing her engine. She and another fellow were also cleaning out one of her boilers. The furnishings up top were beautiful and I just hope they've been restored to how they were originally.

[Dalesman]

I was fortunate enough to visit her (him?) at Ellesmere Port back in the 90's. Jack Skinner and I were invited to look around by an ex-BP marine engineer (female) who'd spent many months re-furbishing her engine. She and another fellow were also cleaning out one of her boilers. The furnishings up top were beautiful and I just hope they've been restored to how they were originally.

Both the upper and lower saloons are still to be restored to their former glory, whilst the crew accomodation was completely trashed by the local 'lads' this will be rebuilt with modern facilities to comply with MCA regulations

 

 

 

The saloon when DAPS took over.

 

 

The upper saloon when in service

 

 

The lower saloon.

Edited March 30, 2011 by Dalesman

[Randwick]

The first picture above is how I remember it looked when I saw it. It's nice to know that it will look that way again, eventually.

[CanalWalker]

I went on it last year, seeing it again this year.

[Dalesman]

I went on it last year, seeing it again this year.

Did you go to the open day at Sandon Dock and take the bus tour of Liverpool Docks..?

[Josher]

Progress ...

 

Work on Runcorn steam tug The Daniel Adamson approaches completion

 

May 26 2011 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

 

A HISTORIC Runcorn steam tug will become a familiar sight on the Mersey once a seven year restoration project reaches completion. The Daniel Adamson used to be moored in Runcorn but was withdrawn from service in 1984 due to its poor state of repair. A lack of funding led the vessel’s condition to deteriorate until in 2004 a group of volunteers moved her to Liverpool Docks and formed the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS).

 

The volunteer group has a strong connection with the vessel, with some having worked on it during its operational life. The team has collectively spent 70,000 hours restoring the tug and is now preparing to return it to Runcorn Docks and make it operational once again. Two months ago, the preservation society set up the Full Steam campaign with a £200,000 fundraising appeal. So far they have raised £20,000.

 

Society chairman Dan Cross said: “As well as appealing for donations, we are planning a number of events to raise funds including dinners, trips out with the Mersey Ferries and Llangollen Railway.” The society has also received several grants from Halton Borough Council. Upon completion, the Daniel Adamson will sail on the Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver. The boat is licensed to carry 100 passengers.

 

Mr Cross added: “In the hey-day of shipping on the Mersey and the canals, the Daniel Adamson was an impressive sight and we want to recreate that scene for everyone to enjoy, not just for those who may remember her.”

[Dalesman]

Friday 10th June, Stage 2 Application to the Heritage lottery Fund was formally submitted and signed papers handed over.

As reported in the local press last week, the application is for just over £2.8million which as well as shipyard restoration costs, also includes furnishing of the saloons and other ship’s equipment, financial support from HLF towards the employment for up to three years of an Education and Outreach Officer, financial support for social inclusion and educational cruises, a contribution towards maintenance for up to five years and various other start-up costs such as training of volunteer crew, surveyors fees, the appointment of a Naval Architect to superintend the project while at the shipyard and other start-up, fitting out and support costs.

The application submitted yesterday has taken some eighteen months to finalise and complete and has been very complex in nature. Developing the shipyard specifications which, while intended to bring the Daniel Adamson back to full, Class V passenger carrying condition and was produced in agreement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, had to also take into account conservation best practice. For this we regularly spoke to and consulted with The National Historic Ships unit in London. This can only be likened to bringing a Grade 1 listed building back to use as a public space such as a hotel or conference centre. The looks and fabric must be maintained while meeting modern safety standards.

 

The main application document runs to approximately 180 pages including the fifteen page application form.

[CanalWalker]

Did you go to the open day at Sandon Dock and take the bus tour of Liverpool Docks..?

Yes,, sorry for being a few months late replying. Hopefully going on the dock tour on the ferry soon.

[Dalesman]

Daniel Adamson Preservation Society

2011 Heritage Open Day

Saturday 3rd September 2011

10:30 – 15:00

The Steam Tug-Tender “Daniel Adamson” is the last remaining example of a steam powered, coal fired tug/tender, she was launched in 1903 in Birkenhead. Originally built for the Shropshire Union Canal and Railway Company, she was acquired in 1936 by the Manchester Ship Canal Company. When restored back to FULLY certificated, passenger carrying condition, she will be the OLDEST Mersey built ship operational, anywhere in the world.

As part of the final stage of returning the ship to service, a final, stage 2 application was recently submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £2.8million and a fund raising campaign to raise crucial, match funding is under way. A decision is due by late September.

Our Patron- Paul Atterbury from the BBC Antiques Road show will be in attendance along with several guests and supporters including local MP’s who have supported the project, Louise Ellman and Maria Eagle and Chairman of Heritage Afloat and the Heritage Railway Committee, David Morgan.

As it was so popular last year, we will be welcoming back Merseyside Transport Trust and one of the oldest buses, a Double Decker which will be taking people on guided “Dock Tours” of the enclosed, Liverpool docks. This is a rare opportunity to travel inside the dock estate. Your guide for the trip will be none other than Stuart Wood, former Mersey River Pilot, Radio Merseyside presenter and DAPS Operations Director.

We will also be welcoming back the “Adamson Military Band” will be performing twice during the day at 11:00 and 13:30- the band dates back to the 1880’s when they were the official “works band” of Adamson Engineering in Manchester.

Refreshments ranging from hot drinks and biscuits right through to a catering van specializing in traditional fish and chips will be available

Society members are welcome along but, Members of the Public (non-DAPS members) will be welcome also at no charge BUT MUST PRE-BOOK. We cannot permit entry on the day.

To enquire or book, please contact Colin Brogan, the Visits Coordinator on:

Tel: 07746 199844 or email him on: openday@danieladamson.co.uk

For more information about the ship, the society and progress, visit our website at www.danieladamson.co.uk

DIRECTIONS FROM CITY CENTRE: Sandon Dock can be accessed via a gate (marked on the day) on Regent Road (the Dock Road), at the junction with Boundary Street. Post code for Sandon Dock is L3 0BE.

Public Transport Information:

Buses travel along Derby Road and there is a Merseyrail station at Sandhills (10 mins walk)

[Yellowback]

Daniel Adamson: Bid for £2.8m lottery cash rejected

 

 

Volunteers trying to restore a former Mersey steam tender tug have had a £2.8m bid rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

 

The HLF said it had "real concerns" over the costs of the restoration work.

 

Dan Cross, chairman of The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS), said the society was "deeply disappointed" by the HLF's decision.