News

A skipper from Liverpool who has put his life's work into restoring a historic steamship has been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal in honour of his achievement on Saturday 3 September 2022).

Captain Dan Cross has received the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal for his efforts in restoring the iconic SS Daniel Adamson, which first set sail in 1903. Through Dan’s restoration efforts, he has supported young people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn, participate and eventually volunteer as part of the ship’s crew and go on to lead careers in engineering and across the maritime sector.

We cooperated with JSC of Poland in the design and production of their latest card kit featuring HMS Medway Queen and 3 other Dunkirk ships. These kits are now available through MQPS in support of the Medway Queen’s preservation and have been announced on our website and Facebook page.

https://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/news

https://www.facebook.com/TheMedwayQueenPreservationSociety

Mark Rudall and five others headed to Trossachs Pier for the first ‘Sir Walter’s Workweek’. They had a fascinating time and were part of the process to set the iconic Scottish pleasure steamer on course towards steaming once again in the autumn.  Read Mark's comprehensive report on the SBA website here. But she needs more help: is this something for you? If it is, talk to SBA Committee member Adrian Greco who will be delighted to hear from you.

Post AGM news

A big thank you to all who attended this year’s AGM either physically or online - especially those who travelled a long way. For those of you who couldn’t make it then a little news of how things went.

We started with a very successful auction which not only boosted club finances, but also the pockets of members who brought items to sell! Strangest item offered was a Magimix kitchen mixer – not at all sure what this had to do with steam boating, but it went for £2!

We then covered the many developments and initiatives which the club has achieved this last year, followed by Roger Powell, our membership secretary, reporting very healthy growth in new members (19) so far this year which is double that in previous recent years.

Our treasurer, Nigel, said club finances were much reduced from previous, perhaps unnecessarily high, cash balances. The good news here though is that we will finish the year with cash in the bank and the new membership rates (mentioned below) will boost this back to safe levels.

Most know that Kevin Slater has boldly stepped up as our new editor, he reported that all was now in order and that Funnel 192 will shortly be with paid up members together with a free copy of the fascinating new 50 at 50 booklet.

Serious business then followed, centered on two new proposals put to members.

1 An increase in the cost of subs

2 Changes to the Constitution.

After vigorous discussion results were as follows:

1 - Carried by a large majority - 81% in favour. Next year UK subs will be £36 and £44 for overseas. Junior membership remains at £12.

2 – Defeated as the small majority achieved was insufficient to carry the matter to the required postal vote. Constitution changes will now be studied by a subcommittee who will then re-present for members approval in due course.

We closed the meeting with a very informative talk by Peter Green, skipper of SL Alaska.

Happy steaming this year – we have some great events planned for you all!

Tootle Pip

John J

An SBA Member, Robin Gibson, has made us aware of a youtube video which has recently been produced in the US.  It's a fine reminder of the amazing preservation and voyage of the Eppleton Hall, well known to the SBA of course as mentioned in Funnel recently.  As he writes "There are a few details of which some pedants like myself may draw breath a little, but overall it's a very good job".  Watch the video on the website.  If the link has expired, go to the media/video page and look under 'Steamboats Abroad'.

This year the Marsh Group Volunteer Award has been awarded to two winners both connected to steamboats. They are the Daniel Adams Preservation Society of Liverpool and the Volunteers and trustees of the Steamship Shieldhall Charity of Southhampton.

The Shipshape Volunteer Award was awarded to the Ship Engineers of the Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society and 

the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Chris Heyes of the Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society for 50yrs of committed volunteering.

Congratulations to everyone and especially to Chris.

Regional  Flag ship Medway Queen was appointed “South East Regional Flagship for 2020” by National Historic Ships UK earlier this year so, on the same day as the AGM, and following a regular Board meeting, the pennant was ceremonially hoisted on PS Medway Queen by our President, The Rt. Hon. the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC , in the presence of the Mayor of Medway, Cllr. Habib Tejan . This was a much lower key event than we would have liked due to current restrictions, but we were able to include the local media. The guests arrived exactly on time, the weather cooperated (for a change) and a small party proceeded on board. The tide was rising and the NHS- UK ensign flew proudly at the stern of the ship. The TV crew, from ITV Meridian, were ready and Lord West hoisted the Flagship pennant on the jack staff at the bow and pulled the lanyard to unfurl it. Camera s clicked and whirred and we all breath e d a sigh of relief! Lord West said a few words and then he and Mayor Tejan were conduct ed round the ship by Pam Bathurst, MQPS Members hip Secreta ry. They inspected the refurbished Aft Saloon and the Engine room before proceeding back to the Visitor Centre for tea and biscuits. All masked and distance d as necessary of course.

Pictures are in the gallery. Media, Members Photos, Misc.

The SBA has teamed up with BESST (The Boiler and Engineering Skills Training Trust) to produce some training modules.

These Marine Steam Modules have been prepared by a group of experienced marine engineers and experts from the Steam Boat Association, BESTT and Maritime Heritage Trust including Bob Garnett, John Megoran, Mark Rudall, Kevin Slater and Rob van Es who co-ordinated and edited the work. The work is part of the BESTT National Lottery Heritage Fund "Skills for the Future" project to extend syllabus based steam heritage engineering training, whose first marine trainee has recently started at the Windermere Jetty Museum. The modules are aimed at trainees and other new entrants to these topics and don't aim to offer a comprehensive account - references to textbooks and other sources are provided.  The modules will, however, be of real interest to any steamboater; read them at  www.bestt.org.uk/training_plan. 

These syllabus modules are published in draft and comment is welcome. Please forward any comments to: enquiries@bestt.org.uk

Tony Young alerted us to this fabulous instructional video on raising steam on one of His Majesty's Destroyers.

I'll add it to the video library too...

I was recently contacted by an Indian company (Tinytech) offering steam plants which might suit members, and we are passing this information on for your interest.

Mark Rudall offered the following wise words on experience with this company:

Tiny Tech, India, have advertised their steam engines and Yarrow type boilers for many years and they are built for the developing world to provide simple power sources often on indigenous fuels. We have been sent their current price list, which is here for your interest. It is important to note the caveat that imported boilers, however robustly built, would not necessarily meet European demands for provenance of materials, certification of welds etc.. Moreover, the engines, given their target market, are somewhat crude, but do operate.

TinyTech wrote as follows:

Dear Steam Friends,

I have conviction in my heart that steam power is going to come back sooner or later.

So with great difficulties I developed steam engines from 2.5 hp to 70 hp and also water tube boilers of various sizes.

If any of your members is seriously interested in steam engine, he can contact me.

I will be pleased to give my full co operation.

I am giving below the price list of my steam engine

STEAM ENGINES FOR YOUR OWN POWER

SINGLE CYLINDER STEAM ENGINES

(1) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 6 hp, cylinder dia 90.2mm x stroke 80mm, US$ 1200/-

(2) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 10 hp, cylinder dia 101.6mm x stroke 116mm, US$ 1500/-

(3) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 20 hp, cylinder dia 127mm x stroke 146mm, US$2100 /-

(4) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 25 hp, cylinder dia 139.7mm x stroke 146mm, US$ 2400/-

(5) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 30 hp, cylinder dia 152.4mm x stroke 146mm, US$ 2700/-

(6) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 50 hp, cylinder dia 190mm x stroke 146mm, 4200US$ /-

(7) Single cylinder double acting steam engine 70 hp, cylinder dia 190mm x stroke 200mm, US$ 6000/-

DOUBLE CYLINDER TWIN V TYPE STEAM ENGINES

(1) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 5 hp, cylinder dia 63mm x stroke 80mm, US$ 1800/-

(2) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 8 hp, cylinder dia 76.2mm x stroke 80mm , US$ 2200/-

(3) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 12 hp, cylinder dia 90.2mm x stroke 80mm, US$ 2400/-

(5) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 20 hp, cylinder dia 101.6mm x stroke 116mm, US$ 2600/-

(6) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 28 hp, cylinder dia 114.3mm x stroke 116mm, US$ 3000/-

(7) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 36 hp, cylinder dia 140mm x stroke 107 mm, US$ 3200/-

(8) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 40 hp, cylinder dia 140mm x stroke 116mm, US$ 4000/-

(9) Double cylinder double acting steam engine 100 hp, cylinder dia 190mm x stroke 146mm, US$7000/-.

COMPOUND STEAM ENGINES V TYPE (HP CYLINDER X LP CYLINDER X STROKE)

(1) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 6 hp, cylinders dia 63 x 90 x stroke 80mm,US$2000

(2) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 9 hp, cylinder dia 90 x 114 x stroke 80mm,US$ 2200

(3) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 15 hp cyl dia 90mmx127mmxstroke116mm, US$2800

(4) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 22 hp, cyl dia 101.6x139.7xstroke116mm, US$ 3600

(5) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 32 hp, cyl dia 114.3x165.1xstroke 146mm, US$ 6200

(6) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 40 hp, cyl dia 127x 177.8 xstroke 146mm, US$ 7400

(7) Double cylinder double acting compound steam engine 50 hp, cyl dia 139.7x 190 xstroke 146mm, US$ 8000

VELJIBHAI DESAI

(76 years engineer promoting people's own power)

AADHUNIK GLOBAL ENERGY

TINYTECH PLANTS

Tagore Road, RAJKOT - 360002, INDIA

91 92 27 60 65 70 ( MOBILE)

energy@tinytechindia.com

www.tinytechindia.com