A Steamship Experience

5th March

Running From: - 19:30 PM

Knutsford Little Theatre are kindly hosting a charity fundraiser evening to support The Danny with their performance of John Godber's Bouncers 90's Remix....Bursting with imagination and wit and presented by just four actors, Bouncers is an outrageous and hilarious parody of the disco scene. The four brutish bouncers of the title portray over twenty different characters as we are invited for a night out on the town. We see them as giggly girls and lads on the make preparing for the big night out as we follow their progress to the disco floor. There, we also meet an entire cross-section of disco-goers, including Hooray Henrys, pogoing punks and drunken slobs! The evening’s events are set against the tatty glitzy glamour, flashing lights and pulsating beat of the nightclub scene. An exhilarating night out for all concerned. 

Other information on the Knutsford Little Theatre can be found by clicking the link.

2nd May

Running From: - 12:00 PM

Cross River Job – Sandon Dock, Liverpool – Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead.                                            Friday 2nd May 2025  1200 hrs – 1700 hrs.

THE CROSS RIVER JOB - Named after a certain “shifting” job where large ships, requiring up to three tugboats to assist, would part discharge in Liverpool and then, usually at night to allow unbroken cargo working in the day, would sail from Liverpool over to another discharge berth in Birkenhead.  Always a lengthy and tricky job!

As there is no public access allowed onto the secure dock area, Vintage buses will collect you from Royal Albert Dock and take you to the Danny at our winter maintenance berth at Sandon Dock, Liverpool from where this cruise will depart. We will head North for a tour of the Liverpool Dock System, hopefully seeing plenty of shipping at a variety of berths. We will lock out of either Gladstone or Langton lock, and take a river tour, as far south as Tranmere and Cammell Laird's Shipyard if timings allow.  We will lock into the Birkenhead Dock System via Alfred Lock, and head up the “Great Float” through the East Float, past the former mills, now converted to housing, while seeing remnants of the shipping lines of yesteryear that made Birkenhead Docks such a busy and vibrant place. We will pass through Duke Street bridge and into the West Float, passing the former “Rea Wharf” and “Cavendish Quay”, “Gillbrook” Basin and the remains of the many dry docks as we head towards Bidston.  At the top of the West Float - now unable to enter Bidston dock since it was filled in - we turn, head East and make our way back to Vittoria Dock, the former home of the famous Blue Funnel Line amongst many others.  Again, as there is no public access allowed on the quayside, the Vintage Buses, will drop you off at either Hamilton Square Station or Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool. Please select your option at the time of booking.  You will receive complimentary tea or coffee on arrival and a bowl of our Danny Scouse for lunch – a vegetarian option is available so please advise at the time of booking.  Real Ale on draught will also be available on this cruise!

3rd May

Running From: - 13:00 PM

THE CHESHIRE SHEAF - Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead to Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge                                   Saturday 3rd May 2025  1300 hrs – 1600 hrs.

THE CHESHIRE SHEAF. Named after a typical barge run from yesteryear, when small river barges would load wheat from the mills in Birkenhead and transport it to the mill at Frodsham.  Birkenhead, in those days, was in Cheshire.  This name was also used for a 1968 Wirral Railway Circle Tour, taking in Chester and Helsby amongst other places, using a two car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit). Was anyone on that trip?

As there is no public access or parking at Birkenhead Vittoria Dock, we are running a Park & Ride from a car park near our destination berth in Sutton Weaver, so your car will be waiting for you at the end of the cruise. Alternativley, if you prefer to make your own way to The Danny, we can collect you from outside Hamilton Square Station to take you to the quayside, but please remember there is no transport back to Birkenhead at the end of the cruise.  Full details will be in your booking confirmation email.  Having arrived at The Danny by coach, we will start by heading up the Great Float through the East Float, past the former mills - now converted to housing - while seeing remnants of the shipping lines of yesteryear that made Birkenhead docks one of the busiest in the world at one time. We’ll pass through Duke Street bridge and into the West Float, passing the former Reas Wharf and Cavendish Quay, Gillbrook Basin and the remains of the many dry docks as we head towards Bidston.  We can no longer enter Bidston Dock as it has been filled in, so we will turn at the top of the West Float and eventually return to Alfred Lock.  We will then enter the river and depending on time, will tour the river before heading up to Eastham and entering the Manchester Ship Canal having passed many famous landmarks in the River Mersey including the world-famous Pier Head, Cammell Laird shipyard, Tranmere Oil Terminal and, hopefully, a few ships on the way. We will leave the River Mersey through the Eastham Lock system and spend a couple of hours on the Manchester Ship Canal before we turn off and join the Weaver Navigation at Marsh Lock and sail to our berth just below Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge.  You will receive complimentary tea or coffee on arrival and a bowl of our Danny Scouse for lunch – a vegetarian option is available so please advise at the time of booking.  Real Ale on draught will also be available on this cruise!