DAPS Media Release

Press Officer:- Neil Marsden

E-mail:- neil.marsden3@ntlworld.com

Telephone:- 07986116168

For immediate release January 29th 2008

Media Release 

Mutual Support between Merseyside Maritime Charities

The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, which is working to restore the “Daniel Adamson” Britain’s sole surviving steam tug – tender, is pleased to announce that it has been selected by fellow Merseyside based Maritime Heritage Charity, the Merseyside Lightship Preservation Society, as 'the project most worthy of their support '

The MLPS was originally formed by a group of Merseyside based enthusiasts, determined if at all possible to save the River Mersey's last 'manned' light vessel, the former 'Bar Lightship' 'Planet'. The society was granted charitable status, but before they could acquire the vessel it was purchased privately.  Undaunted the society carried out extensive research into the history of the Mersey Light-vessels, producing an educational DVD copies of which were distributed freely to libraries across Merseyside.  The society received funding support from the Heritage Lottery to carry out this work.

Throughout the existence of the MLPS they have continued in their efforts to keep ‘Planet’ Mersey based and to date have succeeded in this aim, the vessel now being a prominent feature on the Mersey waterfront in Liverpool's Canning Dock.

Accordingly with the vessel in private hands and its future, at least for the present reasonably secure, the society's council determined that their original aims could no longer be realised, that the society should be dissolved and that such funds remaining should be transferred to a worthy 'like minded' project.

Following careful consideration the MLPS Committee held an Extraordinary General Meeting of society members in November 2007 when it was agreed that the society's funds should be donated to the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society. In the words of MLPS Chairman, Stan McNally, 'It was the natural choice, a maritime project, based on Merseyside with the best prospect of success.'

The donation which amounts to just under £10,000 will be added to existing funds allocated for the restoration of 'Daniel Adamson's' Liverpool built main engines. This work, the cost of which is estimated at some £50,000 is already well underway and allows this vital element of the restoration to continue independent of the application for major restoration funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which it is hoped, will be submitted later this year.

In acknowledging their contribution DAPS Chairman Tony Hirst  OBE said that the MLPS members had demonstrated the camaraderie within preservation societies seeking to ensure that vessels built on, or associated with Merseyside are preserved for the public benefit.

  Daniel Adamson in service on the Manchester Ship Canal in 1981 by John Slavin

LV Planet at Canning Dock, Liverpool - 2007 by John Luxton

Ends.

  NOTES FOR EDITORS

v     The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage.  From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy.  Since its conception, HLF have supported 16,600 projects allocating over £3.3 billion across the UK.

v     The Daniel Adamson is a unique twin-screw steam tug-tender (means built for both towing barges and carrying passengers) constructed in 1903 for the Shropshire Union Canal and Railway Company by the Tranmere Bay Development Company in Birkenhead.

v     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 directors, guests, dignitaries and potential users of their canal on inspection tours of the canal until late 1984 when she was retired from service. Since then until March 2004 she was a static exhibit at the Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port.

v     The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society was formed in 2004 as a registered charity, with the objective of restoring her to her former glory and active passenger carrying on the Merseyside and Cheshire and Manchester waterways.

v      Since then members have expended over 28000 hours work on her towards full restoration.

v      During 2005 the Daniel Adamson was because of her importance placed on the “Designated List” of craft on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

v      When restored the “Daniel Adamson” will be the oldest operational Merseyside built ship in the world.

v     The Society acknowledges the support of Geoff Heaps & Partners, James Walker Sealing Technology, John Tiere and Company, JPS Scaffolding, Liverpool Pilots. National Museums, Liverpool, Makita UK, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, Merseyside Fire Brigade Museum, North Western Ship Repairers, Peel Holdings, Sigma Coatings, Smit Towage, Svitzer Marine, United Utilities and Wymark Ltd.

v      For further information please go to the society’s web site www.danieladamson.co.uk. High-resolution photographs of the Daniel Adamson suitable for reproduction can be downloaded from www.danieladamson.co.uk/press/press.htm.

Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Contacts:

Chairman: Tony Hirst, 39, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1AB.  Tel: 01244 373880

Email: tony@thenterprises.fsnet.co.uk

Vice Chairman: Dan Cross - 17 Cedardale Park, Barrows Green, Widnes.  Tel: 0151 4231393  Mobile: 07979865391.  Email: dan@uptonrocks.fsnet.co.uk

Society Secretary / Membership Secretary:  Patrick Crecraft, 8, Newlands, Naseby, Northampton

NN6 6DE. Tel: 01604 740144  Email: pat@pcrecraft.freeserve.co.uk