January 2026

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We enter Year 55 of the Kerne Preservation project, pretty much as we left the 54th year with the annual task of cleaning out the boiler for the Boiler Inspector. Our new Numatic super-dooper industrial vacuum cleaner has been a real hit – with brush attachment on the end of its nice long suction hose it was possible to reach all areas of the furnaces, tubeplates and combustion chambers. Whilst the job still necessitates the wearing of disposable boiler suits and respirators, the amount of dust and soot in the atmosphere is markedly reduced. The vacuum unit itself is equipped with disposable bags with dust-tight seals, so not only is it less unpleasant whilst doing the deed, but disposal of the soot and ash is a fairly clean operation. That said, we still don’t have volunteers lining up to do the job!! Staying on the subject of the boiler, several valves have been removed from the boiler shell as part of our rolling program of valve refurbishment. Each body of the valve is stripped down and inspected and any necessary repairs undertaken. This would usually involve cleaning the valve itself and its seat, which is then lapped in using grinding paste. The valve spindle is checked, its thread cleaned and the valve re-attached with a new securing split pin. The valve is re-assembled and new gland packing inserted before the flanges are wire brushed, new jointing made and refitted with a liberal application of flaked graphite and cylinder oil. Progress is proceeding with the difficult job of painting the hull behind the Main Engine. Even with the removal of the timber walkway, access is difficult to say the least due to the myriad of pipes and valves that occupy the space, but most of the hull plates in that area have now been scaled, degreased and two coats of Hemperdur epoxy paint applied. Now all we have to do is clean, degrease and paint the pipes and valve chests. Once complete it is ‘same again’ in the Boiler Room. Finally, I sadly have to report the passing of John Aitkin, a Friend of Kerne for many years. As Historian for the Port of Montrose he did much research into the port where Kerne, initially named as ‘Viking’ was built and was able to provide us with the very early history of the vessels construction and commissioning, as well as publishing several articles about Kerne past and present.

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