"THE DANNY"

The Daniel Adamson, aka "The Danny" is a historic steamer built in 1903. While it's had many tasks it is perhaps best known for it art deco interior.

According to the society, the twin screw, coal-fired steam tug was built by the Tranmere Bay Development Company.

Originally called the Ralph Brocklebank, it was one of three tugs built for the Shropshire Union Railways & Canal Company (SURCC), carrying passengers between Ellesmere Port and Liverpool. This service continued until 1915.

During the First World War, the tug also had a short stint working for the Royal Navy as an unarmed patrol boat around the Liverpool coastal area.

It was then acquired by the Manchester Ship Canal Company (MSCC) in 1921 for towing and carrying passengers between Manchester and the canal entrance at Eastham.

After being chosen as the official director’s launch, the tug was given a radical refit in 1936. It’s name was also changed to the Daniel Adamson, after the MSCC’s first chairman.

After decades of towing and being used for hospitality, the boat eventually came out of service. In March 1986, it was laid up in Ellesmere Port before being bought by the the preservation society.