December 2022

Happy New Year to All. As we leave our 51st year of Kerne’s preservation behind us, I think we can view 2022 with a sense of achievement. After several years of hard graft, commitment and not inconsiderable costs in replacing the failed boiler stay tubes, we were able to put that job behind us and look forward to a season of activity on the steaming front and public exhibition. Sadly things did not work out quite as we had hoped, as the failure of the entrance gate to the Canning/Albert Dock complex from the Mersey prevented us from exhibiting the vessel at the Maritime Museum during the summer months as planned. We did however have a very successful trip out in the River in May, primarily as an Engine and Navigation trial, and whilst we were confined to the channel due to foul weather, all went pretty well and the trip was enjoyed by the on-board volunteers. This was followed in August by a trip up to Acton Bridge on the Weaver Navigation, via Eastham, the Manchester Ship Canal and Marsh Lock, with an additional trip around the river to celebrate a ‘Significant Birthday’ of one of our members. The vessel remained on public show until the first weekend in October for the successful annual Leigh Arms Steam Party, before we returned to our winter moorings in Liverpool’s Sandon Dock. On our return to base our winterisation program commenced with the emptying of the boiler, cleaning of the fire surfaces and tubes ahead of our Spring Boiler Inspection, and the application of cling film to protect brass and steel brightwork. Dehumidifiers were installed to minimise damaging condensation. In terms of work carried out during the year, we have seen the demise of our wind generator. An appropriate replacement has been purchased, but some welding work is required prior to installation, but on the welding front the upper sections and the cross deck to the bunkers tops has been replaced. We have also removed, with some difficulty, the somewhat tired Duplex General Service Pump. We have a suitable replacement for the pump, but some modifications are required to the bedplate and pipework prior to installation. During the fine weather during the summer months, general painting was carried out on deck, repairs were carried out to the aft rope grate, and our illustrious Captain entertained himself by taking on the complete repainting of the stokehold, which had become rather battered and bruised during the retubing project. We now look forward to our 2023 Steamings and having been assured that the entrance gate from the Mersey to Canning Half Tide Dock is operational, we intend to be present and on display in Canning during May for the Eurovision Song Contest and beyond, although we will have to carefully consider what other events we can attend and how we can fund these given the situation in Ukraine. For several years we had sourced Russian Deep Mined coal as our fuel of preference as, whilst not the cheapest available, it satisfied several of our criteria. It was good sized lump coal – handy for loading and firing, it was smokeless if fired little and often - which made it environmentally friendly and lessened the sooting up of the tubes. It also burned to clinkerless fine ash which was easily disposed of ashore. Due to the imposed sanctions this type of coal is no longer available, and lesser quality coal is priced at between twice and three times the cost we were previously paying, so we will have to manage and budget our 2023 Steaming Season carefully. That said, as always, we look forward to this year’s activities with vigour and enthusiasm.