June 2025

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The welcome appearance of summer sunshine produced the usual dash for paintbrushes. The pressing issue was the condition of the funnel as large areas of paint had delaminated allowing moisture (and a far amount of rain) to get behind the paint and create some fairly large areas of rust. Several theories as to the cause were proffered, but on inspection of the funnel and a section on the delaminated paint, it appeared that detachment had occurred between the funnel and the rust cure layer. We came to the conclusion that the Granville rust cure we had used took exception to the heat of the funnel when in steam causing it to break away from the steel surface. The decision was to go for two coats of Hemperdur Primer and one of Hemperdur top coat. We will see how this reacts over the coming months. Also on deck, after draining and drying the aft peak tank it awas discovered that the internal pipe supplying sea water to the stern gland had corroded to the point of becoming porous, so this was replaced with a new shut-off valve prior to filling up the tank with fresh water used for boiler top-up when in steam and as a supply of washing up water in the aft cabin/galley. On the issue of pipes the new stainless steel pipe assembly to the fire hose and deck wash has been completed. Work down below to Engine and Boiler Room pipework continues, and the access door at the bottom of the boiler was returned to position enabling us to start filling the boiler in preparation for the live steam test by the Boiler Inspector. It almost goes without saying that Andy continues manfully toiling away fitting the cladding to the boiler lagging. What was thought to be a fairly simple job to complete once the crinolines and the lagging material were fitted turned out to be something of a false dawn as the amount of cutting and shaping that is required to clad round the numerous pipes, valves and stay nuts in what in some areas is very cramped conditions make it a very slow job. Heaven knows what it would have cost to have had the job done commercially. Manfully, the volunteers press on to our goal of a steaming in the not-too-distant future.

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