May 2021

After the numerous Covid Lockdowns, May saw activity aboard Kerne return to something like normality. Travel restrictions were eased and those of us unfortunate enough to be classified as ‘Sheilded’ or ‘At Risk’ were finally able to return and resume their duties aboard increasing working volunteers aboard to 10 on a number of occasions, albeit that working and maintaining Social Distancing did hamper our usual routine. But how good it was to see the vessel once again alive with enthusiast volunteers doing what they do best. It seemed that every section of the vessel was alive with activity. Starting in the Forward Cabin, our two ‘Captain’s’ brass oil lamps have now been fitted to the forward bulkhead ready for wiring into the lighting circuit. Whilst LED bulbs will produce the illumination, the original tanks etc have been retained intact and they could be returned to oil-burning if required. Above in the Wheelhouse, the much-interrupted rewire was all but finished although the converter for the VHF radio was found to be faulty and will require replacement. Whilst it would have been nice to kit out the Wheelhouse with 1950’s period equipment, crew safety and that of the vessel are paramount, so to this end we have installed modern equipment with up-to-date distress broadcasting, GPS, echo sounding etc. The new circuitry, switchgear and circuit breakers compliment this equipment without giving the Wheelhouse too much of a modern feel. Down below in the Boiler Room great strides have been made with all the stay tubes installed and a start was made in annealing the plain smoke tubes removed to facilitate the job. Our member Jack Dibnah, together with his hydraulic gear has started expanding the tubes which negates the need to expand with the manual ratchet which is a very hard and slow process. A new scum pipe and dish were installed inside the boiler with those of us who have carried out such tasks in the past looking on (reluctantly!!!) to the younger and more supple members of our volunteer force. Engine Room activity continues with the lapping-in of the Low Pressure slide valve and seat – another slow job which requires infinite patience and skill. Moving aft to the Aft Cabin/Galley, the bilge area has been thoroughly cleaned and de-scaled (a lovely job) and repainted, and the chimney cowl to the range replaced. For many years the chimney top has carried a ‘Chinese Hat’ cowl to prevent water ingress, but the recent level of corrosion found in the stove pipe suggests it didn’t do a very good job, so this has been replaced with a ‘Vedette’ cylindrical cowl. All very nice and shiny. Work has also been carried out to the sliding hatch to the cabin which was sticking. Finally to the extreme stern of the vessel, where the Rope Grate is in the process of being sanded down to bear timber to remove all previous and numerous layers of paint and varnish before re-coating. All in all, May has been a great month when major strides have been made with masses of work being carried out on the vessel. Then to bring a super month to a close, we received the excellent news that the Foyle Foundation had awarded The Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society a grant of £5,000 for the conservation rebuilding of the smokebox and bunkers of the vessel. During the retubing work the smokebox was found to require work and large areas of the bunker bulkhead had to be removed for space to insert new stay tubes. Using the grant everything will be rebuilt in the original style and as much as possible using parts from the original structures in line with our policy of keeping the historical integrity and character of the vessel. We are most grateful for the Foundation’s generous support.