HLF has approved a first-round pass* application to assist the society's work towards a second-round application next year. The society resubmitted a fresh application to HLF following last year's unsuccessful bid.

SS Daniel Adamson is the UK's last steam tug tender, built at Tranmere in 1903 for an Ellesmere Port - Liverpool passenger ferry and barge towing service. Later sold to the Manchester Ship Canal in 1921 as a tug and, with a new art deco double decker saloon, acted as the directors' inspection vessel.

The coal-fired ship will be restored to public service, sailing from Liverpool Cruise Terminal or the city centre Canning Dock all over the Mersey, Weaver and Ship Canal.

Sara Hilton, Head of HLF North West, said: "We're delighted to be giving our support to the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society for their vision to restore this very special historic vessel. We believe their latest plans have great potential and we'd like to commend everyone involved for their tenacity and passion in developing them. We'll be working closely with the society in the coming months as they progress the project further."

Paul Atterbury, DAPS president and Antiques Roadshow expert said: "I am so pleased to hear that the HLF round one application has now been approved. This is a major step and the door is now open to the road that, hopefully, will lead to the fulfilment of all our hopes. It brings the dream of seeing 'the Danny' back in service a big step nearer to reality. It is also a vindication of all those hours, weeks and years of dedication and hard work by the volunteer team, without which this simply could never have happened. We all know it can be done. Now the nation is starting to believe us."

Louise Ellman, Liverpool Riverside MP and Chair of the Transport Select Committee, said: "It is wonderful news to hear the Daniel Adamson's Heritage Lottery Fund bid has been revitalised. Not only will the ship be a piece of living, breathing Merseyside maritime history, but she will become an asset to be used by the whole community."

Note to editors

A first-round pass means the project meets our criteria for funding and we believe it has the potential to deliver high quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals.

Daniel Adamson is Britain's only steam-powered, coal-fired tug-tender. The ship was built as Ralph Brocklebank, by the Tranmere Bay Development Co., at Birkenhead, Wirral in 1903. Once restored, the vessel would be the oldest, Mersey built steam ship still operating anywhere in the world.

With two sister ships, the tug-tender ran a passenger ferry and barge towing service for her owners, the Shropshire Union Railway & Canal Co., from its Ellesmere Port terminus to Manchester Dock, Liverpool.

In 1921 the ship was sold to the Manchester Ship Canal Co. (MSCCo), and in 1936, a lavish art deco style double-deck saloon was fitted by craftsmen from John Brown & Co., Clydebank and although badly water damaged, the saloons will be restored. She was at this time, re-named in honour of the first chairman of the Ship Canal Co.

The MSCCo laid up Daniel Adamson in 1984 after the boiler required repair work and the vessel was moved to Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. However, when MSCCo decided to scrap the vessel after vandalism problems, the current trust was formed and bought the ship for £1 in 2004.

Further information

For media relations enquiries please contact Peter Elson on 07717 733 257, email: media@danieladamson.co.uk
For other enquiries, please contact the Chairman, Dan Cross, on 07979 865 391, email: chairman@danieladamson.co.uk