A former tugboat on the Manchester Ship Canal is part of a group of volunteers recognized for successfully rescuing a historic steamship moored in Cheshire.
Decades after the Daniel Adamson moored, Colin Leonard is still heavily involved in what everyone thought was their final official voyage.
Introduced in 1903, Danny, as she is affectionately known, is the last surviving steam-powered tugboat built on the Mersey. In fact, she is believed to be the oldest ship in the world built in Mersey.
However, following the demise of shipping on the canals of northwest England, her fate was uncertain until she was rescued by a team of people passionate about her past.
In a year when visitor attractions like the ships moored by Cheshire are struggling to survive thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the work of volunteers like 73-year-old Colin is particularly poignant during this June 1st volunteer week -7).
“I never thought I’d sail her 37 years later because I thought she was scrapped a long time ago,” said Colin. “That’s why I felt that it was only natural for me to embrace her new life and keep her afloat.”
Originally known as Ralph Brocklebank, the tug was built to haul barges laden with goods from Cheshire and the Potteries to Liverpool. She also worked as an unarmed patrol boat during World War I.
In 1922 she was bought by the Manchester Ship Canal Company (MSCC) to carry passengers to the inland docks of Manchester, then the cotton capital of the world.
The ship was then selected as the MSCC’s official launch in 1936 when it was renamed after company founder Daniel Adamson and underwent a radical Art Deco overhaul. The Danny dragged for a few more decades, but her towing duties became rarer and in 1984 the MSCC withdrew her from service.
It was scheduled for scrapping in 2004, but its future was secured by the volunteer-run Daniel Adamson Preservation Trust and 11 years later £ 3.8 million was secured to Heritage Lottery Funding to bring it back to full operation.
The Danny is now celebrating the fifth anniversary of its restoration. The Living Museum recently confirmed its cruise schedule for 2021 after a 21 month hiatus in service.
And it’s thanks in large part to his volunteers like Leonard from Runcorn, Cheshire, who as a member of the deck crew schedule lessons, organize attendees for outside events, and help with educational services to bring The Danny story to local schools bring and colleges.
When asked what he particularly liked about his work with The Danny, he said, “I know that I have helped ensure that an important part of our maritime heritage is preserved for future generations.”
Leonard’s wife Sheila, 71, also volunteers as an office clerk, where she works with members, organizes discussions and collaborates with the fundraising team.
Like her husband, she is very happy when she is part of a team that has helped keep this piece of maritime history alive. “My life has been so busy and fulfilling since I became a volunteer. I would recommend anyone who is a little lonely or needs to make new friends to join us at The Danny.”
Dan Cross, 47, a Cheshire, Merseyside tugboat master who is also a volunteer captain, naval superintendent and past Danny chairman, urges people of all abilities and backgrounds to consider volunteering.
“We’re very interested in recruiting younger volunteers. We have to make volunteering sexy for the younger ones and not be frowned upon as a lot of anoraks.”
Sarah Vibert, Interim CEO of NCVO, said: “As in this story, volunteers always work in the heart of every UK community. Volunteer Week is an important opportunity for everyone to recognize everyone who does important work as a volunteer. The pandemic has rightly raised the profile of volunteering and more people than ever before are aware of the immense contribution that amazing volunteers across the country make every day. We need to make sure that recognition continues. So this 37th Annual Volunteer Week is an important time to say thank you, volunteers! ”
* The nation’s popular heritage steamship, The Danny, will be open for tours starting this weekend (Sat, 29th, Sun, 30th, and Mon, 31st May) and every weekend thereafter until the mariners resume their cruise schedule in early July records.
Between 11am and 4pm, those who want a personalized tour of one of the world’s finest steamers can do so for free as volunteers proudly show and share the history and love affair with this legendary ship.
Danny’s volunteers will greet visitors aboard this “step-back-in-time” tour of the ship as they moor at the Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge in Cheshire.
This free experience welcomes people of all ages on board for a unique visit to the deck of the country’s last remaining steamship – possibly the world.
