A number of our members visited Ian Kemp’s Dadford’s shed on Saturday 7^th July 2001. The following photographs show the work then underway. All photos by Maurice Parker.

In this first picture we can see from the inside the work shown on the front cover.

Ian Kemp has fabricated the starboard swim area and is completing the port section. As is to be expected the work is carried out in as close a way to the original as possible. Unfortunately it is no longer possible to obtain wrought iron in sufficient quantities to replace the original wrought iron sides. Therefore steel is used. There is no longer any production of wrought iron in this country. As far as I am aware the only remaining plant is that now housed at the Blist Hill museum at Ironbridge. This mill was originally in Bolton, Lancashire and I understand was one of the factories visited by Fred Dibnah as a youngster.

Ian’s basic method of operation can be seen here. Each panel is individually fabricated and offered up to the boat. When he is happy with the overall fit the panel is bolted into place prior to riveting. At which point a caulking material will be used between the plates. The hull will be hot riveted as original, although I imagine Ian will use a modern pneumatic rivet hammer.

In this second picture we can see the engine room area. As already noted we will be having a new cabin, this will be fine tuned to reflect our experience of operation and also the change of equipment. The new engine is much shallower than the old twin and will sit fit further back. In addition, because of the need to find a suitable position for the two weir pumps the connecting door between the engine room and cabin will no longer be present. The pumps will be mounted on this bulkhead. However, because of the need to be able watch the steerers actions there will still be a window in the bulkhead. It is only when one considers the effect of not being able to see the steerer that the value of the doorway is appreciated. If you have never been in the engine room whilst on the move you will not appreciate that particularly during low speed manoeuvring and when turning sharply into junctions it is essential to see the steerer. An experienced driver can be prepared for the next change of speed or direction, he can also judge whether an extra burst of speed is necessary to get around a bend.

The strip down of the hull area has revealed several areas of corrosion not predicted and Dave Stott has had to authorise some additional work. The picture here shows the rusted state of one of the rivets. I am told that this was by no means usual. Some areas of the swim could be penetrated with a screwdriver!

Simon Nuttall