June/July 2019

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As I pen this with the rain hammering against the window during this lovely mid-summer weather, things have slowed down a tad as the busy volunteers take their holidays.

Between baking hot sunshine and the following torrential downpours and thunderstorms, we have managed to get several coats of Hemperthane white on the wheelhouse exterior and interior. We also have been able to get a number of essential fittings refitted, particularly the original external handrails which greatly assist when climbing from the deck to the wheelhouse. These are painted red and green depicting port and starboard, just in case there is any confusion on the direction of travel!

The sort periods of ‘painting weather’ enabled us to do some patch treatment of deck rusting, using a powerful jetwasher which did a great job of clearing accumulated muck and rust before applying Granville Rust Cure to the area. We now just need some stable weather for us to apply the deck paint.

As well as the fixed glazing to the wheelhouse, we have six ‘Beclawat’ drop lights of the type used in the old British Rail carriages. When removed from the old wheelhouse it was evident that the felt inserts to the vertical guides were worn out, so we approached the manufacturers for replacements. Whilst they no longer manufacture the preformed inserts they were able to confirm the specification of the felt used, which is now available in sheet form. Unfortunately when we tried to form the felt within the guides, the glass was too tight within the guides to allow smooth movement of the glass, so we have now ordered new sheets with reduced width.

Down in the Boiler Room the tubeplate rethreading continues. All but a few of the tube holes have been re-tapped, those outstanding being holes which were nicked by the gas cutter when removing the previous tubes. These have been repaired with welding, and are being re-profiled. As the base of the smokebox was getting thin in some areas, we took the decision to cut this out and dress a few areas of corrosion with weld. In order to ensure that those re-cut tube holes will allow the new threaded tubes to screw easily into position, we have manufactured threaded mandrels which are being used to clear any debris from the threads.

Away from the vessel, our new ‘HM Tug Terrier First World War Then and Now’ exhibition stand and model has been out on display again, firstly at Lymm Transport Day, and latterly to the Audlem Festival of Transport. Despite some dodgy weather both events were well attended and a great deal of interest was shown in our display.

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