September 2023

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With several sailings on the horizon the new month was upon us with all available hands to the pumps to finish jobs in progress. Furnaces were lit as four tonnes of coal arrived in 1 tonne bags (our preferred method of delivery) but sadly the delivery vehicle was not equipped with a Hiab to swing the bags over the bunkers, so we had to resort to shovelling, firstly into the starboard bunker, and then by swinging the vessel round by manpower and ropes, into the port bunker with more than the odd light-hearted utterance of ‘We are getting too old for this!!’ The day also included the annual visit from the Marine Surveyor who registered a pass and issued the requisite certification required by the Port Authorities. The mood of the crew became somewhat sombre several days later as a large turnout of crew and many others from the world of steam preservation attended the funeral of our past Chairman George Coles on 6th September. A steam man through and through it was fitting that his final road journey was by steam in the form of Jeanie Walker’s Fowler Roller crewed by Jeanie and sister Lucy hauling a flat trailer carrying George’s coffin. The weekend of 9th and 10th September had been planned for two member’s sailings up the Manchester Ship Canal to Runcorn and back, but the unseasonably good weather prompted a last-minute change of plan which saw Kerne basking in the sunshine out in the Mersey channel on both days which, with no disrespect to the MSC and Runcorn, seemed a slightly pleasanter option. Kerne ran very well without problem but with the mercury in the Boiler Room hitting 45 degrees the firemen, hardly surprisingly, spent more time on deck than is usual. Kev, one of our members brought a photographic drone along for the trip and got some really good shots. He subsequently put together an excellent video featuring the trip, ROV underwater footage and Engine and Boiler room scenes. These can be viewed via our Facebook page. Whilst I admit to being unashamedly biased, the vessel looks an absolute picture in the overhead shots. More amazing than the actual footage was the fact that Kev managed to land the drone on the tug’s foredeck whilst we were underway!! Once safely back into Sandon on the Sunday, and with the continuing good weather, the opportunity to further the deck repainting could not be missed. So with our powerful jet wash rust and lifted paint was blasted off the deck surface, rust cure applied followed by two coats of two-pack Hempel epoxy and finally two coats of Hempathane top coat, to give a really nice finish. All that remains is to load the remaining coal ahead of lighting up again for our trip up river to Eastham Locks and up the Manchester Ship Canal to Weston Marsh Lock and River Weaver for the annual Leigh Arms Steam Party at Acton Bridge on A49 south of Warrington on 7th /8th October. Subject to locking arrangements we plan to sail on Friday 6th October and sail through to Acton Bridge with arrival in the late afternoon. The tug will then be open to the public throughout the weekend ahead of a further member’s trip planned for Tues 10th before returning to Sandon Dock for the winter.

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