February '18

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Just when you think Spring is round the corner, with lovely sunny days at the beginning of the month, an Arctic blast swept across from the East, confining some of us who live away from the flat lands of Merseyside and the Wirral to barracks. Never daunted, work carried on by those who live nearby, despite the freeze.
A replacement for the corroded skum pipe that was removed from the boiler has been fabricated, leaving the small job of reinstallation. To achieve this task requires skill and patience, the ability to get inside the boiler and be lithe and supple enough to work in this somewhat cold and claustrophobic area. Nowadays, this rules me and certain others out, although I was able to stick my head down through the top boiler access door and offer words of encouragement to those within. The muttered replies seemed to sound more like insults than words of thanks!
The Forward Cabin was the place to be as the cold winds blew, accompanied by the warmth of our new stove, where there are still a few details to finish off. These include the installation of the document cupboard, the tubular steel false bulkhead frame, and modifications to a donated former boardroom table for adaptation into its new home. We are now looking for someone to manufacture the oak facing for the false bulkhead.
As we move forward with the minor finishing touches, the next big project – the Aft Cabin, continued. The removal of the seating and some of the work surfaces allowed access to the inside of the ships hull and framing and these areas were duly scraped, treated with rust inhibitor and painted. It is our intention to modify and improve the facilities in this area; our plans include improvements to the ventilation, the installation of a sink and pumped discharge, an overhaul to the solid fuel range and a wiring upgrade. What we now need is some decent weather so we can set about exterior painting in readiness for the forthcoming season, which is only some 2 months away.
For those who subscribe to the magazine ‘Old Glory’, you will have seen Paul Kirkbride’s excellent published article on Lidgerwood engines, of which Kerne’s engines are probably the only surviving example. For those who don’t, the article can be viewed on our Facebook page and is worth a read.  

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