July 2022

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Work has continued towards the replacement of the bunker cross deck which is taking a little more time and effort than initially anticipated. As well as the removal of the old patched deck, we had to consider the construction of the replacement section, which was originally riveted flat plate with two bunker lids. Whilst the original design was fine when the vessel was in steam and rolling about in the Mersey ensuring that no water collected on the cross deck, that is certainly not the case now when Kerne spends the majority of time cold and static creating ideal conditions for rainwater accumulation and inevitable rust. So, we have settled on a slightly convex deck so water will run off. To achieve this heavy steel angle has been ‘notched’ out to create the required curvature and welded to the upright sections of the boiler and engine room casings and straight sections of angle welded to the side sections of the bunker tops. All that is now required is the deck plates to be welded in, apertures for the two bunker lids to be cut etc, etc. Not a simple job by any means and just another example of the subtle modifications that are required in order to keep the vessel going. Once again, our thanks go to The Headley Trust for their grant towards the cost of this work. Also on deck the period of fine weather we have experienced has seen much chipping, scraping and painting and we have now dismantled of our life expired wind generator. We have acquired a new Rutland unit which is yet to be installed and repositioned as the original positioning hampered coaling the bunkers through the square bunker lids. This unit comes with its own all-singing-all-dancing battery regulator to replace the various individual bits of electrical kit needed for its predecessor. Down below, the boiler feed injector check valve has returned to the vessel after overhaul, which we hope will cure the injectors erratic performance. As we had drained over half the boiler of water to enable the valve to be removed, the opportunity was taken to drain the remainder to enable us to replace the bottom boiler door joint that was weeping under pressure. Unfortunately, despite the very agreeable weather for public viewing, we have been unable to move into the Canning/Albert Docks complex as planned due to the failure of the dock entrance gate giving access from the river. This is unlikely to be rectified until the end of August at the earliest, so for now, we have to remain out of public sight in Sandon.

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July 2023

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