September 2025

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For the Kerne volunteers the words of the Scottish bard, Rabbie Burns - ‘The best laid plans of mice and men….’ could not have been more appropriate to the events of September and the plans for October. We started the month with work on the crosshead condenser pumps at an advanced stage, so much so that a steaming was pencilled in for the last week of September with high hopes that this would allow the successful navigation of the River Weaver to the Leigh Arms Steam Party at the beginning of October. Regular followers will be aware of previous repairs necessitated by numerous groundings in the Weaver over the years. Mud and silt get into the condenser and associated pumps due to the siting of the saltwater suction by the keel. The answer was to install a secondary high-level suction and pipework but the prohibitive cost of dry-docking and installation put this on hold. However, due to a generous bequest from our late Chairman George Coles, we now had the funds to have the work carried out in conjunction with a planned dry-docking in Cammell Lairds. Fires were lit and steam slowly raised in order to test the overhauled pumps and the new high-level installation, all of which went very satisfactorily. Enthused by this success and the delivery of 6 tons of coal plans were laid for our trip across the river to Eastham, up the Manchester Ship Canal into the Weaver via Marsh Lock and on to the Leigh Arms at Acton Bridge. Our enthusiasm was soon dashed by the news that ‘on safety grounds’ Marsh Lock was to close immediately for an un-specified period. Given that Marsh Lock is the only surviving route to the Weaver for a vessel of our size (Weston Point Docks the only other route having been leased to Eddie Stobart Grp and now non-operational) we have had to abandon our plans. As the boiler was still hot following the tests, at short notice we planned a trip out in the river for the 26 September. In the light of a poor weather forcast and getting a crew together at short notice, we pushed the date back to Friday 3 October. But guess what – Storm Amy was forcast to hit Merseyside on that very day. Whilst some may find sailing in rough weather exhilarating (I am not one of them..) the safety of the crew and our 112-year-old vessel is paramount, so with an air of great disappointment it was out with the heavy mooring ropes to continue our stay in Sandon Dock. All very frustrating given the amount of time and effort and not inconsiderable amount of money spent this year without a trip to show for it. But there is always next year…

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