May 2022

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It was all go in May, as we tackled the myriad of jobs needed if we were to achieve our goal of sea trials in the month, as well as Kerne’s 1st Mate, Paul Kirkbride giving an excellent presentation as part of National Historic Ships ‘Shipshape Network’ project at Windermere Jetty Museum. The paint brushes were out in the Engine and Boiler Rooms, and after the final coat of varnish, the aft rope grating was carefully restored to its rightful place over the rudder quadrant, the job of ‘de-cluttering’ the vessel got underway. The boiler was filled, the requisite boiler treatment added, the top boiler door bolted down and on 23 May fires were lit as we took delivery of 10 tonnes of Eastern European coal which cost us £435 per tonne, (projecting a cost for the trials in the order of £1000). Quite a shock given that our last delivery was half that cost!! After three days of careful steam raising and slow engine trials whilst secured to Sandon Quay, mooring ropes were slipped on Thursday morning 26 May and we proceeded to Langton lock and out into the Mersey for the 1st time since October 2017 and our boiler re-stay tube project . Our initial plan was to sail out into the Channel and proceed out to the Mersey Bar, but given that we were confronted with winds gusting at NW Force 7 (50-60 mph) we confined our voyage to the more sheltered areas of the river, but even there the decks got a good wash down! Once the engine warmed through, it immediately became apparent that the work on the low-pressure slide value over several years was paying dividends as the vacuum steadily rose to the dizzy heights of 26 inches, making the engine much smoother and more efficient. It is sad that the late Dave Lowdes, the Engineer who started work on the valve and face was not able to witness the results of his and his successor’s labours. All-in-all, it was a very successful trial; the engine ran really well at a very comfortable 80rpm, giving 9 knots on reduced throttle (thanks to the increase in vacuum), we ‘blooded’ a new fireman, and apart from a minor problem with the boiler’s starboard fee check valve, nothing was added to the ‘To Do’ list. Having locked back into the dock system via Gladstone Lock with a P&O ferry, we returned to Sandon Dock, made the vessel secure and proceeded to the Lion Tavern for a well-earned pint to reflect on the tremendous support we have enjoyed over the long period we have been out of action and to celebrate our return to operational status

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