Organised by The DannyIn the face of our most challenging year yet, with lifesaving and fire-fighting equipment being updated and a crucial 10-year boiler service looming, your contribution isn't just appreciated—it's vital to keeping The Danny operational!
Our target: £150,000 to Secure the Future of a National Treasure
The SS Daniel Adamson—affectionately known as "The Danny"—stands as one of Britain's most significant maritime treasures. Built in 1903, this remarkable vessel is the UK's last surviving steam-powered tug tender with its original engines intact, representing an irreplaceable piece of UK industrial maritime heritage.
After decades of service connecting Liverpool and Manchester, The Danny narrowly escaped the scrapyard in 2004. Thanks to a team of passionate volunteers and heritage enthusiasts – the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society – this magnificent vessel was rescued and lovingly restored to her full Art Deco glory. She is a testament to the craftsmanship and engineering excellence of a bygone era.
Today, The Danny serves as a living museum, educational resource, and community asset. Her powerful steam engines, elegant saloons, and rich history provide a unique window into our maritime past, connecting generations to our shared maritime heritage.
Despite our dedicated volunteer team's tireless efforts, preserving and maintaining a 122-year-old steam vessel, to-ever changing passenger carrying standards and requirements, requires significant resources, expertise, and money. The £150,000 we aim to raise will help to fund essential conservation and maintenance for The Danny, including the following:
• Mandatory dry-docking and rolling-maintenance to ensure she remains seaworthy, and to ensure compliance with Maritime & Coastguard Agency standards for passenger carrying vessels.
• Critical engineering work on her steam boiler in conjunction with the ten-year boiler inspection at the end of 2025.
• Two new 65-person life rafts and release systems to keep us compliant with regulations, and to stay ahead of expensive maintenance costs.
• Repairs to canvas covers, and replacement where repair is not possible.
• A new fixed fire fighting system for the engine and boiler rooms to comply with new regulations.
• Essential training for our staff and volunteers.
• Education and outreach for the next generation of engineers in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
By supporting The Danny, you're not just preserving a boat—you're safeguarding a unique piece of our industrial maritime heritage that tells the story of the shipping industry, ports, and waterways that built modern Britain. Every donation, regardless of size, will help us to protect this irreplaceable vessel for future generations.
Please consider joining a community of fellow supporters who understand that when we lose vessels like The Danny, we lose a tangible connection to our past that can never be replaced.
Whether you can donate £5 or £500, your contribution will make an important difference. If you are able, please consider making a monthly donation, organising a fundraising event, or volunteering your time.
The SS Daniel Adamson has survived two world wars, decades of service, and near oblivion at the scrapyard. With your help, we can safeguard the future of this remarkable vessel, ensuring she continues to bring people together and inspire visitors for generations to come.
Thank you for helping us to keep history afloat.
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