The Daniel Adamson Steam Tug Boat was built in 1903 to tow barges, carry people and livestock. In 1935 the passenger accommodation was enhanced in the style of contemporary ocean liners to reflect its new role as an inspection vessel for directors and potential users of the canal, which continued until 1985. Currently moored in Liverpool, it is the last surviving example of its class of vessel to be used along these waterways, appearing on the National Historic Ships register, a boat of national importance.
HERA were employed as mentor and monitor to guide the project through a revised National Lottery Heritage Fund second round application. The re-application was successful allowing the Daniel Adamson to be fully restored and offer cruises along the River Mersey.
HERA’s role included the successful mentoring of the second-round application, governance overview of change in the migration of the organisations skills from a restoration based organisation to an organisation offering a visitor experience. Careful planning of cash flow management was required given the requirement for advanced payment to the ship-yard.