The Society based in Merseyside has received the highest award to a voluntary service, the equivalent to an M.B.E.
They were awarded the honour in the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours List published on 2nd June 2018.
It is the first time a historic vessel preservation trust has been honoured in this way.
The award was created in 2002 by Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate the anniversary of her Coronation and recognises excellence in voluntary service and activity carried out by groups in the community. The assessment process for the award was conducted on behalf of Her Majesty by Captain Hugh Daglish LVO JP DL Royal Navy ex Commander of HMY Britannia and His Honour Judge John Roberts DL.
In 1971 Kerne was the last coal fired steamship to work commercially on the Mersey when the preservation group stepped in and saved her from the scrapyard. Since then, the steam tug has relied on the voluntary effort of its members, public donations and awards granted from The Transport Trust, National Historic Ships UK, The Pilgrim Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund plus the support of many local businesses such as Cammell Laird, United Utilities and Peel Ports.
The society is dedicated to keeping Kerne in steam and operational as a living reminder to the people of Merseyside and North West Britain of the days of steam at sea.
Paul Kirkbride, a Director of The Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society said, “We are delighted to receive the Queen’s Award and recognition of the work of our group over the last 47 years. Our member’s dedication has been an example of what can be achieved for the benefit of the nation’s maritime heritage and is enjoyed by many thousands of people who have seen Kernesteaming to events and come aboard to learn about a living steamship of the Titanic era”.
Built by Montrose Shipbuilding Co. Ltd and competed in 1913, to fulfil an order placed by the Gerdes Hansen and Co, she was originally named Viking. Upon completion in March 1913, she sailed under her own power to London but in April 1913, she was acquired by the Admiralty and re-named Terrier. Based in Chatham she worked in and around the Medway as a harbour/basin tug for 35 years, which included the two World Wars.
She was sold out of naval service in March 1948 to J.P.Knight and re-named Kerne, which is Gaelic for “Vagabond Foot Soldier.” In September 1949 after 18 months service with Knights she was sold on to the Straits Steamship Co. of Liverpool, a subsidiary of Liverpool Lighterage Co. sailing North to work on the Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Weaver Navigation as a lighterage tug until her retirement in March 1971.
During 1970 and 1971 several likeminded steam enthusiasts in the Liverpool and Wirral area were becoming increasingly frustrated at the disappearance of suitable outlets for their hobbies. Steam on the railways had recently finished and the few embryonic organisations involved with steam did not fit the bill for a variety of reasons.
Laid up in Wellington Dock in Liverpool until October 1971, the Kerne was about to go for scrap when the fledgling group of enthusiasts outbid the scrapman and rescued her from the cutter’s torch. Six years later the North Western Steamship Company Co Ltd was formed as a non-profit making organisation to operate the Kerne and facilitate her conservation. She is now an extremely rare example of the once common steam estuary/dock tug and a living reminder of early 20th century naval architecture.
As the Kerne has continued in preservation she has performed roles that bring her greater distinction. She has been the guest of honour at several maritime festivals, on the Mersey, at Preston Docks and in North Wales and has also appeared at steam festivals on the Isle of Man. But perhaps her greatest honour was to represent her type in the Royal Review of Ships in the Mersey during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. As this event has receded into the past, the majority of vessels that took part have succumbed to the scrap man. It is realistic to assume that the Kerne may be the sole operating survivor of this prestigious occasion.
Her veteran appeal has made her sought after by film and TV production companies and she has appeared in some period productions.
The structure of Kerne’s owners, the North Western Steamship Co. ensured positive outlooks prevailed, coupled with a determination to ensure that the vessel continued to be maintained in good operating condition for years to come. An essential aspect of this is the tenacity with which the demands of Kerne’s survival are met. This dedication was recognised in 1990 when the North Western Steamship Co. won first prize in the marine category of the Steam Heritage Awards.
She is now the last remaining operational Naval coal-fired steamship to have seen service in two World Wars.
For a video and pictures of the event see links below:-
Photo’s –
Video –
James O'Hanlon's blog 