20th Anniversary Celebration
Published: 10th Sep
The SS Daniel Adamson Celebrates 20 Years of Preservation and Maritime Heritage
The SS Daniel Adamson, affectionately known as ‘The Danny,’ has celebrated the 20th anniversary of its remarkable preservation with an evening of reflection, celebration, and gratitude.
The event, aboard the historic Art Deco steamship on its berth at Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge, Cheshire, brought together supporters, volunteers, and partners to commemorate two decades of dedication to saving the maritime treasure from being scrapped.
The evening was a celebration of the hard work and dedication of the individuals who make up the SS Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, and a testament to the relationships The Danny’s volunteer and outreach team have developed with partners and supporters.
Originally built in 1903 at what is now Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, The Danny was once a vital part of the region’s busy working waterways. From towing Mersey and Cheshire barges alongside grand ocean liners in the Edwardian era, to facing dereliction and near-destruction in 2004, the steam tug’s journey has been one of resilience and revival.
The Danny’s anniversary event – which took place on Thursday 5th September 2024 – highlighted the extraordinary efforts of those who saved the vessel from rusting away in Ellesmere Port in 2004. Thanks to the tireless work of the SS Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, The Danny has since been restored to her former glory, serving not only as a unique events venue but also as an educational platform that fosters an understanding of Liverpool’s maritime heritage.
During the event, Dan Cross from the SS Daniel Adamson Preservation Society expressed his heartfelt thanks to the vessel’s sponsors and supporters, and for the unwavering commitment of the volunteers who have been instrumental in transforming the vessel into a living museum that continues to engage and inspire future generations.
Cathriona Bourke, learning and participation manager for The Danny, said: “This milestone is not just about celebrating the past 20 years, but also about looking forward to the future. The Danny represents the spirit of our region’s rich maritime heritage, and we are excited to continue our mission of preserving and sharing this important piece of history with our communities."
Councillor Kate Cernik, Town Mayor of Northwich and a guest at the anniversary event said: “The Danny is an amazing and beautiful vessel and a real asset to our local waterways. As the Northwich Town Mayor, I look forward to seeing the day when The Danny can be sailed to Northwich to be enjoyed by even more local communities.”
The evening provided an opportunity for guests to learn about future initiatives and how their organisations can engage with and support The Danny. For more information about The Danny and how to get involved, you can visit their website at thedanny.co.uk or email the team on [email protected].
About the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society
The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society was founded in 2004 to rescue and restore the 1903 Mersey-built steam tug, the SS Daniel Adamson, aka The Danny. She is the last remaining passenger carrying vessel of her kind in the country, number 15 on the Register of National Historic Ships (the maritime equivalent of a listed building), distinguished for her Edwardian engineering and elegant Art Deco saloons. In 2016, after 12 years and 100,000 hours of volunteer work, The Danny’s team succeeded in getting a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £3.8m to complete the restoration at Cammell Laird in Liverpool. Over what is now eight years back on the water, The Danny has connected with school children, families, college and university students, young people with learning difficulties, groups for senior citizens, and young people and adults struggling with mental health problems.
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