Steam ship ‘The Danny’ fires up for record cruising year
AWARD-WINNING heritage steamship, the Daniel Adamson, is firing up for a new record-breaking season of leisure cruises along the waterways of Cheshire and Merseyside.
Affectionately known as ‘The Danny’, the 1903 steamship launches its 2022 programme on Good Friday, April 15, with a rare visit to Canning Half Tide in Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock followed by up to six boat trips a month, ending on Sunday, October 9.
After a break of a couple of years, The Danny will again be making regular journeys from its base at Sutton Weaver, near Frodsham, along the Weaver Navigation to Anderton Boat Lift, the world’s first boat lift, in Northwich.
A major river dredging project by the Canal & River Trust has now enabled the ship to link up again with Cheshire’s Cathedral of Canals, allowing visitors to enjoy two historic waterway attractions in one day.
Cheshire’s specialist food and drink producers are also celebrated on several cruises, which feature opportunities to sample Nantwich Gin, Nomad Cheese & Wine, and local beers brewed by Chapter Brewery on a special Father’s Day event.
Trips aboard the restored Art Deco tug vary in length from two and a half hour cruises along the Weaver Navigation to six-hour voyages taking in the Manchester Ship Canal, Ellesmere Port, River Mersey and Liverpool.
Run by the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, the ship relies heavily on a dedicated team of nearly 100 volunteers, including skilled boat skippers, engineers, deckhands, fundraisers and educators. So successful is the group, that it has just been awarded a coveted National Historic Ships UK Volunteering Team prize in recognition of its valuable work to combat isolation and develop well-being, particularly during the Covid pandemic.
Director Andrea Ward said: “We can’t wait to get this amazing ship back on the water and give people the thrill of enjoying a wonderful cruise through beautiful countryside again. The last couple of years have been very difficult, so it’s fantastic to win the Historic Ships Volunteering Team Award in recognition of our incredible team who have kept The Danny and each other afloat through trying times.
“Our 2022 cruise schedule promises to be our biggest and most diverse yet. We are thrilled to link back up with the iconic Anderton Boat Lift on a regular basis this year, offering passengers a double historic waterways treat. It’s also great to return to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock for a couple of visits this year too.
“With so many events and experiences cancelled over the last two years, we look forward to sailing full steam ahead in 2022, welcoming lots of new guests on board, extending our schools and training programme and making the most of this special historic steamship.”
Cruise tickets start from £40. Visit the website: www.thedanny.co.uk for more details about individual cruises and to book tickets.