Peel Ports to sponsor Daniel Adamson "Heritage Open Day" event 11th Sept 2010

DANIEL ADAMSON PRESERVATION SOCIETY
MEDIA RELEASE
Immediate
Peel Ports to sponsor this years “Heritage Open Day” event
Liverpool Tuesday 3rd August 2010

BRITAIN’S last steam tug tender, being restored on Merseyside, will be the only ship taking part in the UK Heritage Open Days on September 11. The 1903-built Daniel Adamson, which is being restored in Sandon Dock, Liverpool, will be at the heart of a mini-heritage extravaganza.
The event is sponsored by a generous £1,000 donation from Peel Ports Mersey.
Guests of honour will be Paul Atterbury, of BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow, who is patron of the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society. He will be joined by Gary Hodgson, Peel Ports Mersey’s managing director, his wife Patricia, and other Peel Ports managers.
There will be two performances by the Adamson Military Band, formed by Daniel Adamson, a leading Victorian engineer who was the driving force behind building the Manchester Ship Canal.
There will be a free vintage bus tour of Liverpool docks leaving and terminating from the event at Sandon Dock. The buses will give a guided tour of the dock estate, with a commentary by Stuart Wood, DAPS operations manager and ex-Senior Liverpool pilot.
This follows on from news that Liverpool Pilot Service will give their services free to Daniel Adamson when the tug-tender re-enters public passenger service it is hoped by 2012. Such generosity will give considerable savings in the operational costs.
Although the Birkenhead-built tug tender was built for ferry services between Ellesmere Port and Liverpool Pier Head, this priceless Edwardian vessel holds a secret. After being sold to Manchester Ship Canal to become its directors’ inspection vessel, she was refurbished with a two-deck art deco passenger saloon.
Paul Atterbury said: “When I first saw Daniel Adamson the ship exceeded my expectations.
“This is a very special maritime heritage project; it’s far more than just restoring another old steam tug and deserves to succeed.”
Gary Hodgson said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to offer our support to this fascinating project. The Daniel Adamson is an important part of our maritime history and her restoration is particularly timely, given that we are working hard to define smarter logistics solutions for our customers through integration of the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal, two entities that the Daniel Adamson served so well in her hey day.”
Iolo Thomas, Liverpool Pilot Service chairman, said: "Liverpool Pilots are delighted to be able to provide significant support for the River Mersey operations of this unique, historic Tug-Tender Daniel Adamson and look forward to being closely associated with this internationally acclaimed vessel”
Dan Cross, DAPS chairman, said: “Since the society was launched back in 2004 with the aim of saving the vessel from the scrap mans torch and returning her to passenger carrying condition, the local community has been 100% supportive, none more so than local shipping related business’. Peel Ports have been exemplary in the way they have supported our present operations and our future operational plans which along with Liverpool Pilots makes the passage to the future that little easier”
It is planned for Daniel Adamson to run trials next year and enter public service in 2012.
She will be licensed to carry 100 passengers on day excursions from Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal along the Rivers Mersey, Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal. Visitor numbers are restricted to 150 guests on September 11, so booking is essential. To reserve a place, please contact Colin Brogan at: openday@danieladamson.co.uk or on: 07746 199844

 

There is quite a long discussion in this thread on SS Manxman and Peel Holdings/Peel Ports:-

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/16720-Manxman

Their reputation in the area west of Manchester to Liverpool is not good to say the least.

Neil.

 

I'm fully aware of the criticism that has been aimed over the years at Peel regarding Manxman and the Historic warships but I don't wish to offer opinion on either projects merits or weakness'.
However I am quite aware of the technical and financial problems faced by a lot of groups and it has always been easy to blame some one else if things don't work out.
I think at times Peel have been that scapegoat. They are at the end of the day, a massively successful land, property, ports, and leisure business with a lot of kudos. Their Wirral Waters scheme, valued at £4.5 Billion last night received overwhelmingly, outline planning consent. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk...-plan-gets-unanimous-approval-92534-26992215/
My Father worked on the building of the Cannon Multiplex cinema in Salford Quays which opened way back in I think 1986. It was at the time next to the Copthorne Hotel, the only other development at Salford Quays. Now look at it 25 years later with the completion of Media:City imminent.
We can all argue whether we approve or not but going back to the early 80's, like Birkenhead docks are now (and I should know as I worked in there often enough), Salford was crying out for re-development.
In a utopian society, all things of heritage value should be preserved, some simply that- preserved and protected from the scrap man and some items restored but that's another story.
However I will end with saying that since very early on, Peel and before them Mersey Docks & Harbour Co have been superb with us. We in turn have tried to be professional and up front with them and we have an excellent working relationship.
Dan

 

The Mod's strike again!
Although seperate ships, any subject in ship preservation is usually linked to another, amazing what a small world it is.
Dan

 

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments received regarding the open day. The weather could have been better but we still had around 250 through the gates on the day.
We have had some good coverage in the local press:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...nal-treasure-100252-27269649/?sms_ss=facebook

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk...ns-up-for-the-public-to-enjoy-92534-27255588/

Dan