January 2023

A New Year dawns and it is back to work for our dedicated team of volunteers despite some Arctic weather. Thankfully the Aft Cabin /Galley stove provides warmth and comfort – but there is nothing like hard work to keep the crew warm and that has certainly been the case since the turn of the year as we strive to have the vessel ready for our first planned steaming in April. The tasks undertaken may not be immediately obvious but some hard graft has certainly been required in the Engine Room in respect of the ‘new’ duplex pump. As well as the difficulties and energy needed in getting such a large and heavy piece of kit out of the confined spaces of the Engine Room, the heavy channelled bed plate had to be changed to accommodate the replacement. Easier said than done as the original had been welded to the main hull frames, and despite cutting the accessible weld away with the grinder, the bed refused to budge. Enter one of our fitter members with large chisel, lump hammer, gritted teeth and a steely look in his eye. There was to be only one winner and that was Andy. Well done that man! In the meantime work started on cleaning and servicing the numerous pipes, valves, drain cocks and fittings that had been removed from the original pump ready for the new installation. In the Boiler Room, the Starboard Feed Check valve had been removed for the second time for further attention as this was suspected as being the culprit for the badly behaving boiler feed injector. The valve was transferred to one of our remote workshops (otherwise known as our Treasurer’s garage) and refurbished including fitting a new spindle. There can be no doubt as to this particular valves origins as it is stamped ‘HMT Terrier’- Kerne’s Naval title. Obviously an Admiralty replacement of the original, probably from the re-boilering in 1936. During the very wet weather water was found to be dripping into the Forward Cabin. As this was clearly rain water we believe this comes from a small section of deck that wasn’t re-plated with the main section of the foredeck a few years ago. Welders are now to re-plate the section and to weld a support for the new wind generator that we are to position above the after port corner of the Engine Room casing where, unlike its’ predecessor, it will not impede bunkering. There is also some final welding required to finish the bunker cross deck. Water was also discovered in the Aft Cabin bilge, but this was found to be from the stern gland which we have ‘nipped-up’. We will repack this gland at our next dry-docking. After the previous de-scaling of the boiler shell, several coats of heat resistant paint have been applied and thereafter we hope to install new lagging to the boiler which will help to reduce fuel consumption and therefore emissions. We can cross a few items off the ‘to-do’ list, but still plenty things to keep our volunteers out of mischief.