As we reach the end of March 2007 work aboard 'Daniel Adamson' continues, although we are fast approaching the point when the restoration proper will be ready to commence, at the moment the boiler is effectively ready to be taken off for repair, the main engines are largely stripped down and undergoing preliminary work for their full restoration, while the condensers are now similarly ready for rebuilding. Considerable work is ongoing with the various auxiliary engines and attention is now being given to stripping away the old rotted capping (taffrail) rails. The wood itself is largely beyond further use, although so far the major portion of the underlying angle iron support plates appear in reasonable condition.

So far the port side rail has been removed, the sections carefully preserved to be used as patterns for their replacement and the steelwork, chipped, nail gunned, treated with 'Rustroy' preservative and a coat of red oxide applied. Additional chipping and scaling of the bulwarks goes on in order to establish the overall condition of these and to identify any plating in need of repair/replacement.

Shortly we will be collating all quotes and estimates to build up a comprehensive list of the work required and hopefully by this method a reasonably accurate costing for the restoration phase, this of course will form the major component of our major bid to the HLF, but there are a number of other important issues to include in the bid process, it is for us to show that the vessel is of such significance that she merits such expenditure in the first place, we must also demonstrate that when restored the vessel can be operated safely, efficiently and can be self sustaining for the future.

As can be imagined this will be the most difficult stage of proceedings so far. We have more than demonstrated that we have a first class group of dedicated volunteers, already having amassed more than 20,000 hours and if we do say so ourselves have made amazing progress on the project already. Our membership continues to grow and includes an enviable list of professionals as well as a broad cross section of the community too, all of whom are vitally important in  demonstrating the value of the project. We are delighted to note that recently a number of similar projects elsewhere around the UK have benefited from substantial HLF support and we wish them well, we of course cannot be complacent and fully appreciate that there are a great many worthy causes equally deserving of support, so that as ever larger resources are earmarked from lottery funds, there must be some concern that some projects will be overlooked. It is imperative then that we do all we can to ensure the success of this, our project.

Accordingly, behind the scenes we our doing everything we can to generate additional support and hope in due course to be able to report some of these activities in more detail. Of course if there are those amongst our readers who feel they can assist with this process, we would be delighted to hear from them.

So to the heading of this article, as most of you will know 'Daniel Adamson' is 104 years old this year. Put like that while it sounds quite impressive, how do you visualise what it actually means? Perhaps by way of example take another look at our earliest photograph of the ship in her original guise as 'Ralph Brocklebank'

In the background we see the first of Liverpool's 'Three Graces' as they are commonly referred to today, in actual fact the building pictured is the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Building, started in 1903 (like the 'DA') and opened in July 1907, the Liver Building followed, completed in 1911, while the Cunard building dates from 1916.

In other words, there can be few people around today who would recall a time when the Liverpool waterfront lacked these iconic buildings, yet as the photograph shows our vessel was already a feature on the Mersey before the 'Three Graces'

We believe the photograph itself dates from 1907, due to the advanced stage of construction of the MD&HB building, so marking 2007 as the centenary of the scene depicted in the photograph and she's still here!

On a more personal note, I would say that my earliest clear recollection of anything to do with ships and seafaring was a childhood trip to Alfred Basin, Birkenhead with my father. My brother was departing on his first trip as a junior engineer on board the Blue Funnel ship 'Dardanus' The ship had been built by Harland Wolff's Glasgow yard in 1920 for Glen Line as 'Glenfarne' but was delivered as 'Glenapp'  Transferred to Alfred Holt's 'Blue Funnel' Line in 1949 she was a twin screw motor ship, powered by two 8 cylinder B&W engines. The date was 1955, the 'Dardanus' was an old ship, 35 years at that time, she was laid up the following year and scrapped in 1957.

1955 seems a long, long time ago now, 52 years in fact, yet just a few miles away, somewhere along the Manchester Ship Canal, 'Daniel Adamson' would have no doubt been gainfully employed that day, maybe even  assisting another deep sea ship outward bound to some distant destination. As a steam powered tug, she would not have looked out of place amongst dozens of similar vessels working that day, few spectators would have guessed that already 52 years had passed since she was built.

Sadly neither my father nor brother, both marine engineers, survive today and just a handful of the ships they may have known are left, 'Daniel Adamson' is one of them and I like to think they would certainly approve that we are working to keep it that way!

 

Photo 1 'Ralph Brocklebank' passing the Pier Head Liverpool, circa 1907

 

Photo 2 MV. 'Dardanus' (Ocean Steamship Co. Blue Funnel Line)

 

Photo 3  Still scaling, Phil Janion needle gunning the port bulwark rail, after the removal of the capping rails.

 

Photo 4 More high winds recently have destroyed what was left of our old funnel cover, a new one is needed as a matter of urgency. In the meantime some of our volunteers attach a temporary cover to keep out the rain!