Since completing the series on the history of the 'Daniel Adamson' I have received some interesting feedback from members, including the following points;

From Archivist John Griffiths, according to the late Reg.Lindop and as mentioned in recent updates, there is a suggestion that the concrete we've been busily trying to remove to access the steelwork, was installed during World War 1. The story goes that both 'Ralph Brocklebank' (as 'DA' was then) and near sister 'Lord Stalbridge' were so fitted as protection against the effects of sea mines and that both were considered for an 'emergency minesweeper' role during the conflict(?)  Having spent a large portion of the last week chiselling away at the stuff I can well believe it's possible, however, we are aware that the process was not uncommon and other vessels of similar or greater age are known to share this feature. Certainly some of the Lake Windermere steamers were similarly fitted and it seems unlikely this was to protect them from mines. By the same token, one would assume that to protect a vessel from potential explosive shock, some form of reinforcement would also be applied to vulnerable hull openings, e.g. condenser inlet valves, boiler blow down valve etc. yet we have found no evidence of this today. I am aware that amongst our membership we can list both at least one naval architect and several ex-RN personnel, some of whom served aboard 'sweepers' so the definitive answer to this puzzle should be out there!

John Deakin also mentions two interesting points, I believe the first originates from Member Percy Dumbavand and concerns the purchase price of not just 'Ralph Brocklebank' but the complete trio of ex S.U.R & C.Co's vessels ('R.B', 'Lord Stalbridge' and 'W.E.Dorrington') on their acquisition by the Manchester Ship Canal Company. Can you guess how much was paid for all three?

Bearing in mind a £ was worth a good deal more in those days, I think you will still be shocked to learn that the price paid for three, relatively new tug/tenders was just £9000! Some statistician no doubt can equate that to modern values (not me I'm afraid!) but it certainly seems a bargain.

I wish it were possible to restore the 'DA' for that kind of money today!!  Actually, on occasion, while attending rallies or seeking to recruit new members, I sometimes get the impression some folk out there regard £15 is still worth what it was in 1921!  Not you of course dear members, but if you are considering joining DAPS and a tad hesitant, consider what £15 buys you today, not a great deal. Next time you buy a round of drinks, a DVD or 'bucket' of chicken legs, consider how much better you'd feel getting 28p for every £ off the Tax Man!  You can with a Gift Aided Membership of 'DAPS' also a quarterly magazine, regular web-site updates and the sense of knowing that you will be doing your bit for Britain's Maritime Heritage!!  Go on you'll feel better for it, the drinks and chicken are probably bad for you and you'll only watch the DVD once!

Moving swiftly on!!  John Deakin also mentions that as 'Daniel Adamson' her role in the Second World War, was more important than I had first imagined. Fitted with two auxiliary fire pumps on the promenade deck, the 'DA' served as an additional fire firefighting tug, supplementing the MSC's purpose built fire and salvage tug, 'Firefly' in her duties. No doubt a valuable extra resource during the blitz.

Lastly (for the moment) from John Broomby, a reminder that our 'Daniel Adamson' was not the first vessel to bear the name and to serve on the Manchester Ship Canal, albeit briefly and not actually part of the MSC fleet. She was a Scottish paddle steamer and is pictured below.

Details

Builders: Blackwood & Gordon 1864

Propulsion type: Paddle, Double diagonal

Owners: Loch Long & Lochgoil Steamboat Company, Keith & Campbell, Capt William Buchanan, Ship Canal Passenger Steamer Co

Service dates: 1864 - 1895

Tonnage: Gross 152 tons

Comments:

Chancellor (II), shown here on the left in the guise of Daniel Adamson, was built in 1864 for the Helensburgh to Arrochar service, which she provided twice daily during the season. She was unusal in that her sponsons extended right round the ship, giving her a large passenger carrying capacity. In this respect she was similar to the recently built Prince Consort on Loch Lomond. She had good saloon capacity fore and aft and none below decks. In 1880 she was sold for use on the Holy Loch and Gareloch routes and her name was changed to Shandon. Purchased in1884 by Capt Wm Buchanan, she sailed from the Broomielaw to Rothesay and Gareloch and at this time she acquired a mast for the purpose of carrying a light where previously she had no mast. She sailed for use on the newly opened Manchester Ship Canal as Daniel Adamson but attracted insufficient passengers and returned to the Clyde, where she sailed on for a short time before becoming obsolete and she was scrapped in 1895. She is shown here leaving the Broomielaw, with Benmore berthed at the quay and Iona canting in front

Photograph and details courtesy of Tom Lee, from his excellent web-site the 'Paddle Steamer Picture Gallery' http://freespace.virgin.net/tom.lee/ a fascinating site and well worth a visit

I feel sure we will discover many more fascinating facts about the vessel as time goes on. If you know of some information I have missed or indeed found errors in the series, please get in touch. Thank you.

- Neil Marsden