On a sunny October Sunday, we embarked on a 2.5hr cruise from Acton Bridge to Sutton Weaver on The Daniel Adamson, a steam powered old working boat. The 'Danny' is run by knowledgeable volunteers and what a great time we had.
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| Daniel Adamson |
She was built in 1903 by Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company, as a tug canal boat, to tow long strings of loaded barges and was initially named 'Ralph Brocklebank'. Due to the railway and roads being used more & more to transport goods, the SURCC started selling off their fleet in 1921. The Manchester Ship Canal Company purchased her in 1922 and as well as still towing, she also started carrying passengers, including VIPs.
In 1936 she was given a refit and renamed the Daniel Adamson, named after the Manchester Ship Canal's founding father and first MSCC Chairman. She was withdrawn from service in 1984 and moved to Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. Over the years she deteriorated and was sadly vandalised. Thankfully, the 'Daniel Adamson Preservation Society' bought her for the sum of £1 in 2004. People from all over the country joined the society and raised money to help restore her. In 2015 the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £3.8m which was used to restore and enable her to once again sail.
The hard work of the volunteers was quite clear and the ones we met on the cruise were full of dedication and knowledge. All the work has been lovingly restored to an extremely high standard. For more information about the Daniel Adamson, the history, restoration work and cruise info, visit their website www.thedanny.co.uk
We definitely recommend the cruise and the volunteers make you feel very welcome, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. Also on board is a licensed snack bar - great!
