Good news for PS Medway Queen

[lenknight]

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given permission to John Kempton, Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, to offer Mr David Abels the contract to build the hull of the Medway Queen.

 Mr Abels own the Albion Dry Dock at Bristol and trades as David Abels (Boatbuilders).  He put in a quote to build the hull using traditional skills and following plans that date back to 1924 when the ship was originally built.

 Special interest is expected as this will be the first fully-riveted ship to be built in an English shipyard for fifty years.  Modern health and safety standards, of course, will be adhered to throughout.  The little paddler has a famous neighbour in the shape of the SS Great Britain which is in the next dry-dock, within walking distance.

 Brian Goodhew, spokesman for the Medway Queen Preservation Society, welcomed the excellent news.  He said, “I believe that now things are happening after many years people will take a renewed interest.  This is the first chapter in a new beginning.”

Len Knight, webmaster MQPS

[Eddy Matthews]

Absolutely fantastic news Len!!

I thought that it had been decided to rebuild the hull (welded) up on the Tyne, so why the change? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a rivetted hull, as the original ship was built that way. But it does seem like a sudden turn-around....

I thought that I'd read somewhere that a rivetted hull wouldn't get the needed approval because it wouldn't come up to modern safety standards, or am I mistaken?

Anyway, whatever the reasons it's good to hear of some positive progress!

Best wishes
Eddy

[mjt60a]

That is excellent news! As I understand it, a welded hull (even rivetted above the waterline) was considered not 'original' enough for a heritage project* so it has to be constructed in the same way as the original hull...
*according to the heritage lottery fund, that is...

[lenknight]

Hello All,
 The sager of  the future of the Medway Queen goes on, not for the want of input and determination on the society’s part, as you well know for over 20 odd years. The HLF want every t crossed and the i’s dotted, along with the occasional moving of the “Goal Posts” After three attempts to get funding, we were granted just less than two million pounds, two years ago, to rebuild the hull.
We obtained quotes to rebuild the hull from several shipyards to “weld” the hull with this figure in mind, this was rejected by the HLF, stating the hull was original “riveted” and visitors would not be able to see the rivets, and overlapping plates (albeit the hull was flush riveted, and gave the appearance of being welded) simulated rivets were unacceptable, although other project can and have used this method,
However, you now have the latest news for re build to rivet the hull, but this will have drawbacks re the ships future, but all is not too bleak, at least we will have a new hull, albeit a reproduction,
The present situation is as follow:
Here we have the ‘Catch 22 situation’ The HLF have made it plain, they will not release the Grant, only on the hull being riveted,
We are led to believe that the MCA will not issue a certificate (at present, this could be allowed in the possible future re Historic Ships) to carry fare paying passengers if riveted, they support welded hull!
Albeit, she may be looked on as a ‘Museum’ ship, (which is not a bad thing in it’s self) the truth is far removed from this alone.
She will still be a sea worthy vessel, capable of moving to designated destinations (within her capacity) with crew, and possible others as long as not being ‘fare paying’ (am told, donations!) this may have to be tested!
As a roving ‘Ambassador’ for the ‘Dunkirk Story’ and to represent the history of ‘Rochester’ (Dickens) and Medway towns (Chatham Dockyard) and Conference Centre!
If this is to be the only way at present, to keep the story and history of the Medway Queen alive and kicking, we must pursue this to a conclusion.
I believe there are many variable uses for our ship, not just static!!!!
Let’s all be of good heart, and use the situation to our advantage!!!
Len Knight webmaster, MQPS.

[Eddy Matthews]

Thanks for the clarification Len..... As you say, any progress is better than no progress!!

Regards
Eddy

[lenknight]

Are we on our way, lets hope so, we have had so many 'pitfalls' I find it hard to believe!
HISTORIC DOCKYARD, CHATHAM – FRIDAY 3rd (PM) OCTOBER 2008
The signing of the contract to build the hull of PS Medway Queen will take place at the above venue and time.
invited guests include MP for Aylesford and Chatham, Jonathan Shaw; the Mayor of Medway; members of the Dockyard Trust.  Also invited are Lottery Claim Officers and members of the GMB Union
 
The main signatories will be Mr David Abels on behalf of David Abels (Shipbuilders) of Bristol, and John Kempton, Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society


All members of the MQPS are also invited to such an occasion.

Len Knight, webmaster MQPS.

[Channel]

My friend owns a tug that launched Bristol Queen from Charles Hill's yard . . . perhaps she could launch a paddler once again . . . seeing as her owner works for Abels its a strong possibility!!!

[lenknight]

The signing of the contract for the rebuild of the PS Medway Queen, took place at the Historic Dockyard at Chatham, aboard the restored HMS Gannett, on Friday the 3rd October 2008; it was a cold but bright day. Some fifty people were present including local dignitaries, Directors of NMSPC, committee members, and last but not least, the hard core of workers, without whom this project would have foundered many years ago.
If all goes well, nine months from now we should have a re born Medway Queen, ready for stage two, so still a long way to go yet. No time to rest on laurels at present. Albeit we allowed ourselves this day to relax, and enjoy the moment.

Len Knight.

[Channel]

Great to hear all is going well. . . . I suppsoe I better join the society! I look forward to seeing the paddler being built in Bristol. I will try to keep us up to date with pics as the build progresses!!

Chris

[Eddy Matthews]

It would be great if you could do a pictorial account of the rebuild Chris - Does anyone know when the work is scheduled to start?

Regards
Eddy

[Channel]

I know there is 1 boat fitting out at Abels just now and another just being started that is a barge of some sort so I'd guess its a good 8-12 months off yet at least ??

Chris

[lenknight]

Although the contract for the hull, was signed on Friday 3rd October 2008 the actual physical construction will not commence until Spring 2009. Before then David Abels (Abels Shipbuilders, Bristol) still has to complete construction of two vessels already in mid-construction in the Albion Drydock where Medway Queen’s hull will be reconstructed. This does not mean that the MQ project is on hold as there is a lot of preparatory work, talks and discussion still to be completed before the first steel is cut and riveted together.
The main part of this preparatory work is the preparation of a full set of working drawings from which every part of the hull will be constructed. The original 1924 ship’s plans will be forming the basis of the working drawings but the original set do not suffice for a builder to build everything accurately in a 21st Century shipyard.
Once these plans and drawings are finalised and approved, by the Heritage Lottery Fund the steel can be ordered and cutting can begin. The riveting of the steel sections will then shortly follow.
It must be noted that the Heritage Lottery Fund’s grant of £1.86million is only for the reconstruction of the hull. It does not include the refurbishment of the engines; paddle wheels or ‘fitting out’ of the ship. However, work is being carried out on the engines and paddle wheels simultaneously with the work on the hull but continued fund raising will be required to ensure they are finished and put back with the ship as soon as possible.
The fitting out process will include the replacement of furnishings, fittings, portholes, deck furniture, safety equipment, bollards etc and work is still continuing on cleaning these items up ready for going back onboard the Medway Queen. Whether this will be carried out in Bristol or once the Medway Queen is back on the River Medway is still to be confirmed.
Regards, Len Knight MQPS.

[Eddy Matthews]

Thanks for the update Len, are there any estimates of how long the hull build will take once they get started?

Regards
Eddy

[lenknight]

Hello Eddy,
How long! well we had been told that from start to completion of rebuild the hull approx about nine months. Having said that, I have known very few that are completed on time, some problem always seems to come up!
But at least we are on the right direction, the second stage, is but to begin. No one is hanging around on this stage, this is already being organised, and progressing funding. Time has a habit of going very quickly at times, must prepare!!
Regards Len.

[andy]

Good news!

But why should a riveted hull not get the securitiy certificate? If I remember, the Paddler HOHENTWIEL on lake Constance also has its original riveted hull, only welded on the repaired sections. And this ship has ALL Loyds certificates, TÜV and so far.

Think the security authority has some faar, that they use the same rivets like on the hull of the Titanic?

:-)

Andreas