Good news for PS Medway Queen

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's.....Len ......... ....even with this newer good news....it was only last week in our OZ media we were told that UK & a few other European members were considering disbanding the Euro currency & reverting to the respective currencies ....

Let us hope the collaboration between the French & Belgion with the UK will progress things for the MQ....long term.............  Derek .. 

[Bob Golder]

Great news Len    It's fascinating to view the rebuild progress on the webcam. 

[Channel]

Great news Len    It's fascinating to view the rebuild progress on the webcam.

I called by the yard last week for a look. Not worth posting pics as the webcam does such a good job! Her lines are showing nicely now.

[lenknight]

Thanks for last, I am glad that things are progressing for the Medway Queen. It would be nice for a few photos of aft end, as the web cam is not seeing all this at present.
As the Society moves on in its project, it becomes more intriguing in most aspects of development, we do from time to time receive question related to our progress, we always try to answer if practical, some are somewhat miss guided questions, mainly due to miss reading articles, miss leading media info, that is not quite right and also missing all, or some of this info!

With this point in mind the Society have launch a `Member Forum' on the official website, that members may asked relevant questions on the project, and even choose what section they wish to comment on.

May I point out this is only for members of Medway Queen Preservation Society to use, and please only ask question that are applicable to our project

The Medway Queen website is:

http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk
 Click on `MEMBERS' in left hand column, to open forum.

If you are not a member, this is an opportunity to become so, follow instructions on main site, the more members we have, and the more sway also

 thank you.
Len Knight.

[lenknight]

Hello all,
For those that are unable to get to Bristol to see the rebuild at all, like myself now. I have included the latest shot that had been sent to me of the aft section.
Many of the older generation that are PC literate, maybe sadly reliant on the younger generation to keep them informed of progress, owing to incapacity to move far from home now. but are still eager to follow the progress to date.
So if you are able when looking at the rebuild, and taking a photo. perhaps, you would like to post one or two on Paddleducks.
Thanks a lot.
Len Knight.

[Channel]

Hi Len,

Will get a few when I pass by. I know a chap in the yard so see him from time to time.

Chris

[lenknight]

Hello all,
After requesting many times, we now have a camera at the aft end of the rebuild of hull.
 A lot of work was going on this end, but sadly hidden from camera No1, now there is a choice of two, No1 and No2.
All this footage is going to be unique, recording a historic project, to keep for future viewing.
http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk
Well done the MQPS for this wise move.
Len Knight
 

[mjt60a]

look at it now!

http://medwayqueen-bristol.remotemanager.co.uk/image/595/-/archive/6ff6fdc3209a9d9e49744f049763ce31/cb48f88d485d443acbe98f535ca6cdf6/2010/10/1286023251.1535-89a260b7

http://medwayqueen-bristol.remotemanager.co.uk/image/595/-/archive/6ff6fdc3209a9d9e49744f049763ce31/007f226d4bf0987f7b46133c6fd504b7/2010/10/1286026856.0096-41beea54

[steve reynolds]

My neighbour recently returned from a visit to the Medway Queen. His draft report states, "(I) was shown around the Albert Dock site and specifically the riveted iron paddle steamer Medway Queen which rescued seven thousand Allied soldiers from Dunkirk during the Second World War. This vessel’s hull had almost completely rusted away when funding was found to preserve it. The decision was made to keep this vessel afloat once the reconstruction work was finished. This meant that full compliance with current Marine survey requirements had to be incorporated into the design and construction stages for it to be fit for purpose i.e. able to carry paying passengers on short journeys in enclosed waters. The deplorable condition of this vessel meant that a new hull had to be fabricated from scratch and it was decided to rivet this new hull together to reflect the vessel’s original configuration/ construction. As no new riveted ship’s hull fabrication work has been attempted in the UK for approximately fifty years it has been a process of trial and error. Current OHSW legislative requirements prohibit shipbuilders handling red-hot rivets as they did in the past. This has led to alternative methods being trialled and tested. These results were still under assessment while the Fellow was there. There is some disagreement amongst the various parties about the correct procedures and the tolerances that should be allowed."

[steve reynolds]

My neighbour also gave me a photo of the bow of the Medway Queen. What should I do with it?

[lenknight]

Hello Steve,
The new hull is being built to a required original standard that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has stipulated, to a date and time as agreed by both parties.  This is not necessarily as the MQPS would have wished, but need to comply to receive the grant in the first place! This is being rigidly applied, more so to unnecessary procedures, keeping within the requirement of law, as far as I am concerned as an onlooker, with years of experience re this ship!
We have of course, advanced in knowledge, in most cases for the better, but not always.
It seems that the riveting for hull was indeed questioned by the representative for the HLF, as to its appearance!!!
The hull was originally riveted to a “Flush Rivet” appearance when first built (giving the look of a welded hull after painting), which was learnt from the “Titanic” disaster. The protruding dome rivet of the time was deemed partly responsible for the disaster, as friction on the ice loosened the rivet, hence plates also. So flush rivets were in vogue after this tragedy it seemed!
In their wisdom, the HLF wanted the rivets to show, quite contrary to the original. So much for the originality, which is what it is all about surely?
A compromise has now been agreed, and work has commenced on the bilge areas, up to now only a few rivets have failed inspection, which is ridged as already said. The bond between the plates is far superior to the older method without doubt!
There are as always queries that turn up from time to time re the construction procedure, this is normal and expected an is usually dealt with between parties amicably, who usually welcome constructive criticism, as all should.
Re your photo, you can display it on this site if you so wish.
The progress of the re-build can be viewed (by webcam) as also monthly reports, on our website at: www.medwayqueen.co.uk 
 
Len Knight.

[steve reynolds]

Sorry Len, I missed your reply earlier. Wow, thanks for these details. Am attaching (inserting?) the photo now, I think.
Heck, how do I do that?

[steve reynolds]

Photo of the bow of the Medway Queen taken by Matt Gurn during his recent Fellowship trip to England.

[Eddy Matthews]

The Medway Queen rebuild is still progressing, albeit rather slowly in recent months....

Regards
Eddy

[lenknight]

Hello Eddy,
Re work on Medway Queen, albeit it may seem slow, it is progressing in more ways than one. Other projects not related to lottery funding are ongoing. Engine, paddles and their boxes, fiddly and funnel, all independent of such funding, and not seen on camera.
There are but few employed on the project, dock wise, owing to funding and modern needs for riveting, safety and noise wise.
Our project is but a new way to restore historic riveted vessels that the powers to be, seem to sadly insist on, otherwise “Trail Blazers” of modern times, on a learning curve re riveting, that we have little surplus funds for experimenting at present.
However we now have European funding, so we must be doing something right, against all the odds!
I fear the future for most historic ships is now doubtful, more so those still waiting funding, never were good under past governments, and lottery, even more so today.
A few recent photos of the MQ included.
Regards,
Len Knight MQPS.