Daniel Adamson

DANIEL ADAMSON was constructed as RALPH BROCKLEBANK for the Shropshire Union Canal and Railway Company in 1903 by the Tranmere Bay Development Company. She was one of three new tug-tenders built in the first decade of the 20th Century to operate the S.U.C. & R. Co. barge towing service between Ellesmere Port and Liverpool. The passenger carrying capability of the tug-tenders facilitated the provision of a scheduled cross-river passenger service, something which the Shropshire Union company had provided on previous vessels since the 1880s. The combined passenger carrying and towage service continued until 1915. From then until 1921 DANIEL ADAMSON and her two sisters W.E. DORRINGTON and LORD STALBRIDGE operated as tugs only. The Manchester Ship Canal Company acquired the three vessels in 1921. Whilst primarily used as tugs by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, the new owners made use of the tugs’ passenger accommodation again. Cruises from Manchester to Eastham were offered for 7/6d, 37.5p, inclusive of lunch and a return by train from Ellesmere Port. Following the scrapping of the MSC’s original tug-tender CHARLES GALLOWAY in 1929 the company further enhanced the passenger facilities by providing removable awnings fitted to the bridge and stern decks. In 1936 further modifications were made to DANIEL ADAMSON with the bridge being raised to its present level. The passenger accommodation was also upgraded, with the interior being furnished in wood laminates and light fittings in the then contemporary art-deco style. Following the 1936 refit, the vessel was renamed DANIEL ADAMSON in honour of the Manchester Ship Canal Company’s first chairman. Though the activity of vandals over the past twenty years has served to remove some of the splendour of the passenger accommodation, the fine interior of the main and lower deck passenger saloons is still apparent, being more akin to that offered by liners of the period. From 1936 to 1984, DANIEL ADAMSON operated both as a tug and as the company directors’ inspection vessel and a venue for corporate hospitality functions; the two sister vessels having been disposed of by the Manchester Ship Canal Company in 1937 and 1946. In 1986 DANIEL ADAMSON was laid up and berthed in the ship dock at The Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port. In mid February 2004 local tug man Dan Cross discovered that she was about to be scrapped. Following a hastily arranged meeting and considerable efforts made by Dan the DANIEL ADAMSON cheated her appointment with the breakers.

1. 1903 – 1936Ralph Brocklebank

January 2012  A Sustainability Grant of £1000 for consultancy was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships UK.  Source: National Historic Ships UK.

September 2012 Heritage Lottery Fund has approved first-round pass application to assist the Society work towards a second-round application next year. Source: Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, Sep 2012.

1. 1903

   Vessel built by Tranmere Bay Development Company in Birkenhead and named RALPH BROCKLEBANK

2. 1921

   Purchased by Manchester Ship Canal Company where she worked as stern tug, as well as taking Ship Canal employees on trips from Manchester to Eastam

3. 1936

   A new superstructure was fitted, the bridge raised and passenger accommodation improved.  Vessel renamed DANIEL ADAMSON after the first Chairman of the Ship Canal Co

4. 1936-1984

   Vessel operated as a tug, the company directors’ inspection vessel and a venue for corporate hospitality

5. 1984

   Vessel retired from operating and became a static exhibit at the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port

6. 2004

   February: decision was taken to have her broken up but vessel was rescued and the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society was formed

7. 2004

   Vessel towed from Ellesmere Port to Liverpool, where she was dry docked.  Hull surveyed, grit blasted and painted enabling her to gain a 5 year seaworthiness certificate

8. 2012

    Heritage Lottery Fund approved a first-round pass for a £3m bid, including development funding of £37,300

1. unknown The Boat Museum
2. 1977 Ships Monthly Still in Steam: Tug DANIEL ADAMSON
3. 1993 International Register of Historic Ships - Brouwer, Norman J
4. 1994 Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles
5. 2011 Transport Trust 2011 TT AGM Weekend - Liverpool & Birkenhead
6. 2012 Classic Boat £3m for steam tug tender