Why We Need Your Support

The tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers are truly inspiring, but operating, conserving, and maintaining a 122-year-old steam vessel, while meeting ever-changing passenger safety standards, requires significant expertise, resources, and funding.

We urgently need to raise £150,000 to secure Danny’s future as a working steamship. These funds will help replenish reserves already spent on essential works and critical equipment renewals that could not be postponed. This includes vital safety requirements such as new liferafts, as well as the unforeseen but mandatory upgrade of the firefighting system in the engine and boiler room. At the same time, failures in external infrastructure have forced cruise cancellations, cutting off vital income and placing us in an extremely precarious financial position.

This year is the most critical in Danny’s operational life. We are currently undertaking major engineering work on the steam boiler alongside the compulsory ten-year inspection required to regain our passenger certificate. Without completing this work, Danny cannot sail. However, doing so will leave us with dangerously low reserves.

To manage costs, we have reduced our operating season to just 20 sailing days, allowing us to negotiate a reduction in insurance premiums. Even so, every cruise must run at capacity to cover basic operating costs and begin rebuilding the reserves needed for long-term survival. Filling these sailings, alongside our JustGiving appeal, is essential — but it will only succeed with your support.

If you belong to a philanthropic club or society, know someone with a passion for maritime or steam heritage, work for or own a business that makes charitable donations, or are aware of funding bodies that support heritage core costs, please help us spread the word and encourage their support.

Every contribution matters. Whether you are able to give £5 or £5,000, your support directly helps safeguard this irreplaceable vessel and ensures Danny can continue to sail, inspire, and educate.

Together, we can keep Danny alive and steaming into the future.

A Story Worth Preserving

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 splendour with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. She is a testament to the craftsmanship and engineering excellence of a bygone era, and constantly strives to pay her own way.

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 many more years

Today, The Danny serves as a living operating museum, educational resource, community asset as well as running a programme of leisure cruises and being a popular venue for weddings and corporate events. Her powerful steam engines, elegant saloons, and rich history provide a unique window into our maritime past, connecting everyone, young and old, to our shared maritime heritage.