News

Your  (ill-informed) webmaster (hidden in darkest Cumbria) has just discovered a new set of islands in the South West Pacific Ocean - these are known as "New Zealand".

More importantly we have (at least) 13 SBA Members who are located there... so (somewhat belatedly) we have added "New Zealand" as an area you can select in your profile (Primary or Secondary Area of Interest).

So, we have also created an Area Page and Discussion Forum for our members there. We still need to find an Area Representative, so if you can help with this, follow the link on the New Zealand Area Page to make yourself known!

We received the following from  Delena Weldon in Australia, who asked if we could publicise the her note:

Queensland Australia re: steamboat set to be scrapped.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/brisbane-river-historic-tug-boat-forceful-to-be-scrapped/101946660

Hello, I'm writing from Queensland Australia, grasping at straws for help to save the Forceful tug boat, in Brisbane Queensland. The above link will explain what is to happen to her in a months' time.

I have included the Forceful's details, she was built in Glasgow, and maybe this will help with someone in the UK being interested.

Thank you for listening. My contact details are as follows.

Delena Weldon
19 Pine St
Miles Qld 4415
Ph: 0408989437
email: delenawelodn@gmail.com

Dear Members, thank you very much for your response to our membership survey.

We have compiled the (260) results received so far into a report, and this can be downloaded here: PDF Report

(For completeness you can also download the Full Results Spreadsheet , but it's not very easily understood).

Member's also provided a number of "general comments" these can be read here

This data will be used in shaping our thinking and planning.

Volunteers - your details needed! 

A number of questions asked if you would be willing to help in a variety of different ways, and a good number of people said "yes".

But, as the survey was anonymous we still need your name, so we can put you in touch with the right people. So, if you are prepared to help in any way, then please email the Secretary or Webmaster to let them know your name and what you would like to help with. This is not a formal commitment to do anything, just an expression of interest.

I am delighted to report that Roger Mallinson, Chairman of The Shamrock Trust and Honorary Member of the SBA has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours.

The citation is “Chair and Boat Manager, The Shamrock Trust. For services to Steam Boating Heritage and the community in Cumbria”.

Roger Calvert

Faye Beerling’s “Adventures of the Medway Queen” is a summary of the ship’s history in story form, aimed at primary school children. Faye specialises in children’s books with a historical theme written in association with museums and collections.

In our new book, Jasmine, with her friend Peter and Peter’s Mum, visit Medway Queen at Gillingham Pier and take the tour of the ship.

“Adventures of the Medway Queen” will be launched at Gillingham Pier on Saturday October 8th. It is planned that the author, Faye Beerling, will be on hand to sign books and chat to her readers and all are welcome.

www.medwayqueen.co.uk

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.

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.