| For
Immediate Release –
June 09, 2004
Media Release
Historic Tug-Tender “Daniel Adamson” Refloated
On
Sunday June 06, 2004
the historic 1903
Birkenhead
built tug-tender “Daniel Adamson” was refloated at
North Western Ship Repairers’ Clarence Dry Dock in
Liverpool
. The refloating of the “Daniel Adamson” marked the
completion of the initial stage of the vessel’s restoration. The dry dock
work being undertaken by North
Western Ship Repairers and society volunteers"
During
dry docking the “Daniel Adamson” had been surveyed to confirm the
structural integrity of the hull. Following a successful survey the hull was
grit blasted, primed and painted. The vessel’s sea valves were overhauled
and a few minor hull repairs completed.
Commenting
on the refloating of the vessel, Dan Cross, founding director of the Daniel
Adamson Preservation Society said: “The first phase of the project to save
the “Daniel Adamson” has now been successfully completed. The society is
grateful for the support shown by many companies and individuals which have
enabled the initial stages of the project to be undertaken in such a short
timescale. However, the refloating of the vessel only marks the end of the
beginning, not the beginning of the end. Much work remains to be done over the
next few years before the “Daniel Adamson” can steam again.
Following
completion of the dry docking the “Daniel Adamson” will move to a berth
provided for the society by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company for
restoration work to continue.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
-
The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society has
its own Internet web site were society members and others interested in the
project can find out about more about the vessel and keep up to date with the
latest news.
www.danieladamson.co.uk
-
High resolution photographs of the Daniel
Adamson in suitable for reproduction can be downloaded from
www.danieladamson.co.uk/press/press.htm
-
“Daniel Adamson” is a unique twin screw
steam tug-tender constructed for the
Shropshire
Union
Canal
and Railway Company by the Tranmere Bay Development Company
of
Birkenhead
in 1903. She is listed on the National Register of Historic
Vessels and is the sole survivor of her type.
-
Originally named “Ralph Brocklebank” the
vessel was purchased by the Manchester Ship Canal Company in 1921 where she
served as the company’s hospitality tender carrying guests and dignitaries on
official tours of the canal until late 1984 when she was retired from service.
Since then she has been a static exhibit at the
Boat
Museum
,
Ellesmere
Port.
-
The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, a not
for profit organisation, was formed on 21st February 2004 with the
aim of saving this historic vessel and restoring her
to her former glory and to see her active again within the Cheshire and
Merseyside areas.
-
The Society would like to acknowledge the
support of Svitzer Marine, The Manchester Ship Canal Company, North Western
Ship Builders and Repairers, Liverpool Pilots and the Mersey Docks and Harbour
Company and a number of other organisations and individuals.
Daniel Adamson
Preservation Society Contacts:
Chairman:
Tony Hirst
, 39,
Liverpool Road
,
Chester
,
CH2 1AB
Tel:
01244 373880
tony@thenterprises.fsnet.co.uk
Founding Director
Dan
Cross, 17 Cedardale Park, Barrows Green,
Widnes
Tel:
0151 4231393
Mobile
: 07979865391
Email:
dan@uptonrocks.fsnet.co.uk
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