Meeting My Mentor - New Experiences on a Historic Steam Vessel

Author - Deck Officer Cadet Mathew Cassidy, HCMM Mentee

This year’s Easter Monday, I had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand the operation and management of a 1903 steam tug. The story of the Daniel Adamson was relayed to me, proudly, by her team — several volunteers from around the county, all of whom, as we were reminded in a pre-departure speech by the Captain (and my mentor) David McNamee, ‘were there not because they have to be; but because they want to be’. The passion onboard was palpable, and I could not help but proudly take my place among them for the coming journey: a voyage down the Weaver Navigation from Acton Bridge to Sutton Weaver.

Built at the dawn of the Edwardian era in Birkenhead, the Daniel Adamson, now affectionately named ‘The Danny’ by her crew, offered her services on the River Mersey as a tug for the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company.

In 1936, after receiving a refit, she began a new life as a passenger vessel for the world’s industrial VIPs; her incredible Art Deco Saloon was designed to impress visitors into investing in Manchester while transiting its famous Ship Canal — where it continues to impress visitors to this day.

However, after years of neglect, she was saved from scrapping in 2004 by Mersey tug skipper, Dan Cross, who paid just one pound for the historic craft! Years later, a dedicated team of volunteers and charitable investments have successfully transformed the Danny to her former glory. Today, she counts herself among the United Kingdom’s National Historic Fleet, and boldly takes her place alongside such famous vessels as the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose.

During my time on board there were several things which struck me, particularly given my own experiences onboard LNG ships as a cadet with Seapeak. Chief amongst these was the necessity for teamwork on a vessel which relies on coal-fired propulsion and the quick thinking necessary to transit a narrow canal. In the wheelhouse I was impressed by the communication between the bridge and boiler room, neither of which were able to rely on the automatic telegraphs and easy rudder response of modern ships. Coming alongside and entering locks is carried out without modern winches and thrusters; instead, lines are passed by hand and propellers are independently employed to ensure manoeuvring is smooth and seamless. The honed skills of experienced seafarers were fully recognisable.

Finally, I was amazed by the steam-assisted helm and the unique reply of the rudder. Unlike modern ships, the wheel was unresponsive to small amounts of helm; and alongside the effects of squat and bank interaction, I learned much about manoeuvrability and responsiveness of different vessels in different environments.??

I am beyond impressed by the dedication demonstrated by these experienced seafarers and volunteers alike, who go out of their way to keep the nation’s maritime history alive. I thank them and my mentor for allowing and encouraging this interaction between the old and the new, and I am in no doubt about the usefulness of this novel experience in my career as a Deck Officer going forward. Lastly, I thank the Honourable Company of Master Mariners’ mentoring scheme for providing the support, assistance, and advice I received in this, my first interaction with an experienced master and mentor.?????

To learn more about the HCMM Mentoring Scheme and how we support Junior Officers joining the British Merchant Navy, please follow https://www.hcmm.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/mentoring-scheme.html