The rubbing strakes being loaded into President ready for return back to the Museum

We really are in the homeward straight, with only just over 5 weeks to the seminar there is still a lot to do. Recently Dave Stott took a big step forward, the first whooph! [For those who do not realise about which I am talking I will explain one of those “in” sayings that inevitably develop. The saying comes from the sound of lighting a teapot full of paraffin in a warm boiler. If you’ve never heard this sound then you’d better volunteer for some engineroom service] Dave carried out a full steam test recently. He reports that all went well and that seeing and hearing the safety valve going off at 150 psi was a whole new experience. Much more aggressive than before!

Unfortunately the pipework has been delayed for three weeks and will now start on 27th January. This delay was due to staffing problems at the company contracted to complete the work.

A full workparty took place on Saturday 11th January with 9 members attending. The tasks included loading 700 feet of spare rubbing strake into the hold of President. The hatches of Kildare have been painted. The range has now been re-installed into the cabin. The broken top has been replaced by a new one cast by a firm in Essex. This was arranged by Colin Grantham for a nominal sum a most welcome saving on the cost of new stove.

At present Ron Spencer is making new doors for the cupboard at the rear of the hatches; he is making these with a metal section at the rear with the hope ensuring a longer life than the others which had rotted at the bottom.

It is understood that Ian Kemp has about two weeks work to do, this includes painting the fore end and flooring the engine room after the pipes have been installed. Ian has some older style chequer plate, which he will be using to do this. I am sure that if he repeats the standard of workmanship he has produced on the rest of the boat then it will be a considerable improvement on the old floor.

Simon Nuttall