Recent
updates
STATEMENT RE NEW HULL FOR
THE MEDWAY QUEEN
UPDATE JANUARY 7th 2008
As
reported at our AGM, (2007) Heritage Lottery Fund's technical advisers
had asked the Society to go back to the drawing board and seek quotations
for a fully riveted hull to the original specifications.
Eleven shipyards were approached and four-three in the UK, one in Norway,
were prepared to tender for the work. We also approached the UK Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and two classification Societies (Det Norske
Veritas and Lloyds) to find out whether it would be possible for a ship
built to 1924 standards of construction to eventually obtain a passenger
certificate. We were able to report that, rather against initial expectations,
it might well be possible to obtain a passenger
certificate for a ship build to the 1924 standards.
But further investigation revealed that even in 1924 Medway Queen did
not match the standards. A ship built to the dimensions of Medway Queen
and to the 1924 Lloyds standards would be around 20% heavier than Medway
Queen was and, given the very limited dead-weight capacity of Medway
Queen as built, such a ship would be unable to carry passengers.
So the only practicable solution to building a hull to match the Lloyds
requirements will be to use modern welded construction. HLF felt that
to use modern construction for the hull with limited use of rivets where
they would have been visible on the old hull (generally, in machinery
spaces not usually visible to the public) was a sufficiently large departure
from our stated intention to re-build the ship using traditional methods
wherever practicable, to require their Trustees approval before proceeding
further.
The relevant Trustees' meeting was on 5th December 2007, and our next
task is to prepare the case for the Trustees approval and to have contracts
ready for starting work early in the New Year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage
Lottery Fund confirms support for 'Medway Queen' rebuilding.
20th September 2007
On
Monday 17th September Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Society,
together with our Technical adviser Wyn Davies and Jonathan Shaw MP
met with senior officers of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). At the
meeting HLF re-confirmed that they were committed to providing £1.861
million towards re-building 'Medway Queen's hull' and that the reason
for the delay in starting was to ensure the conservation issues had
been addressed properly before contracts were signed.
As reported
at the AGM, HLF's technical advisers had asked MQPS to go back to the
drawing board and seek quotations for a fully riveted hull to the original
specifications. 11 shipyards were approached and four - three in the
UK, one in Norway, were prepared to tender for the work. We also approached
the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and two classification Societies
(Det Norske Veritas and Lloyds) to find out whether it would be possible
for a ship built to 1924 standards of construction to eventually obtain
a passenger certificate. We were able to report that, rather against
initial expectations, it might well be possible to obtain a passenger
certificate for a ship build to the 1924 standards, but further investigation
revealed that even in 1924 'Medway Queen' did not match the standards.
A ship built to the dimensions of 'Medway Queen' and to the 1924 Lloyds
standards would be around 20% heavier than 'Medway Queen' was and, given
the very limited deadweight capacity of 'Medway Queen' as built, such
a ship would be unable to carry passengers. So the only practicable
solution to building a hull to match the Lloyds requirements will be
to use modern welded construction.
HLF felt
that to use modern construction for the hull, with limited use of rivets
where they would have been visible on the old hull (generally, in machinery
spaces not usually visible to the public) was a sufficiently large departure
from our stated intention to re-build the ship using traditional methods
wherever practicable, to require their Trustees approval before proceeding
further. The relevant Trustees' meeting is on 5th December, and our
next task is to prepare the case for the Trustees approval and to have
contracts ready for starting work early in the New Year.
In the process of reviewing
the case for riveted construction we have learned much about the pros
and cons of traditional steel shipbuilding methods - as indeed have
the HLF. 'Medway Queen' continues to pioneer new territory in maritime
preservation!
The Society
are very grateful to Jonathan Shaw MP for taking time out from his ministerial
duties to participate in this riveting discussions with the HLF.
Bob Barnes Treasurer MQPS,
on behalf of the Committee.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6th
August 2007.
On the 22nd
of June 2006 the Heritage Lottery Fund agreed in principal to award
the maximum of £1.861 million towards the rebuild of the hull
of the Medway Queen.
The consultants
Frazer-Nash Ltd, working on behalf of the Medway Queen then prepared
a detailed budget and time scale for the project to meet the HLF requirements
for stage 2, this was met with approval on 1st December 2006.
The contract was put out
to tender, and three Shipyards responded, further refinements and discussions
took place, and it was agreed in principal to negotiate a detailed contract
with A&P Hebburn Yard, on Tyneside, for rebuilding the hull.
In order to ensure on
lottery advice, that as much as possible of the existing structure could
be saved, a contract was entered with G.P.S. Marine based on the Medway
for sympathetic dismantling of the ship. This was done for the fixed
price of £280.000. The contract was successfully complete by October
2006. Metalwork from the ship is currently stored at GPS, and volunteers
at Damhead Creek are refurbishing timber decking as saved.
With the contract drawn
up, work was to have started on the hull the first week in May and the
complete hull would be ready early 2008. Towing back to the Medway was
included in the cost and once delivered fitting out could start.
The HLF
on checking the contract took advice, and pointed out that the ship
should have a fully riveted hull. The Medway Queen Preservation Society
had put forward a plan for a fully welded ship, with rivets for show
purpose.
The
HLF have instructed their consultants to work with the MQPS in finding
a shipyard to do this work, and to get a quote back to HLF.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
January
2006
The Medway Queen Preservation Society were delighted to receive a highly-prize
donation in the form of an ex mobile dental surgery. Now converted and
highly decorated with Medway Queen designs and logos, the van was handed
over by its donor, Mike Johnson, who is also a committee member. The
van was officially accepted by Brian Burton of the GMB Union, who is
Vice-Chairman of the Society.
The van is an integral part of the Medway Queen Lottery claim and is
important in the Access and Learning Programme. The GMB Union have offered
help in fitting out the interior with educational IT equipment and this
will be the next stage. Fully fitted, it will be ideal for use as a
mobile classroom, visiting schools and colleges, bringing the story
of the Medway Queen to the next generation.
The brightly-coloured van will be seen at shopping centres, fetes and
fairs throughout the year, and should prove to be a great asset to the
Society.
Brian Goodhew
Press/Publicity Officer
Medway Queen Preservation Society
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 20th January 2006, from the GMB .
The GMB takes the fight to save the Medway Queen to the European Parliament
The GMB Brussels Office are now working with MEP's including Peter Skinner
MEP to source funding and support from the EEC for the survival of this
historic paddler.
Brian Burton, GMB rep & Vice chair MQPS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 7th Ooctober 2005
2005: THE YEAR OF THE SEA
Dunkirk
Battle Honours Presented to
PS Medway Queen by the GMB Union
22 September 2005
At
11 a.m. at the Damhead Creek base.
A press-call was held regarding the Medway Queen, with a chance to view
the Ship and to meet personnel. Those invited included Wyn Davies, Maritime
Consultant for the Frazer Nash Group who are handling the Claim for
Lottery help on behalf of the Medway Queen. Others present included
Mary Turner, President of the GMB; Paul Maloney, Lead Officer, GMB Southern
Region; John Kempton, Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society;
Brian Burton, Vice Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society.
Also present were journalists from five local newspapers, and Jeff Moody,
TV journalist, with a camera crew from Meridian Television.
1 p.m.
at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham.
The party met at the restored Medway Queen funnel and paddle-boxes,
where the GMB presented a replacement Dunkirk plaque, the original having
been stolen when the Ship was on the Isle of Wight. Those attending
the presentation included Mr Bill Ferris, Chief Executive for The Dockyard
Trust; The Mayor of Medway, Mr Ken Webber, and his wife, Anita; Mr Paul
Clark, MP for Gillingham; Mr Jonathan Shaw, MP for Aylesford and Chatham;
Mr Paul Skinner, EMP; Mary Turner, President of the GMB; Mr Keith Hazelwood,
National Secretary of the GMB; Mr Paul Kenny, Acting General Secretary;
Mr Paul Maloney, Local Lead Officer, South-east.
Mr Ferris said that The Historic Dockyard fully supported the Medway
Queen Project and that he was pleased to have the funnel and paddle-box
display there. He wondered if the Medway Queen was slowly being moved
into the Dockyard "by stealth"!
Brian Burton stated that the Medway Queen is our legacy. He felt sure
that people would not begrudge lottery money being given to this Project,
and that we appear to stand on the threshold of success. He introduced
John Kempton and other members of the Medway Queen committee.
Mary Turner said that she is proud of the work done by the GMB members,
who have given so much support and are prepared to come forward and
show skills to younger people. On behalf of the Union she presented
the Dunkirk Battle Honours to John Kempton, "with great pride".
Jonathan Shaw, MP, a long-time ardent supporter of the Project, thanked
the GMB for the plaque and pledged his continued support.
At 2.30 pm the GMB invited the party on board the Kingswear Castle for
a two-hour cruise, during which two Union members were presented with
long-service awards.
The whole day was a momentous occasion, topped off by blue skies and
sunshine. A brilliant time was had by all and much good-will was engendered.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The
thought of showing the press around the Medway Queen in her present
state after last winter's cruel seas filled me with horror. Meridian
Television had previously used archive film showing her in different
stages of distress. The GMB offer of the presentation of the Dunkirk
plaque gave us an excellent reason to try to bring her back to life,
perhaps for the last time.
Enthusiasm once again drove the small band of members to turn out with
their paint-pots to paint the lower decks and also to hang over the
side to paint the hull, but on the day, with flags flying, she looked
as well as anyone could expect. A few members were quite surprised.
There is life in the old girl yet, and this proved it, even at 81!
The press turned out to take up my invitation - five newspapers and
a television crew! I was pleasantly surprised as it could have been
just the parish magazine, and that's that!
Mr Wyn Davies did interview after interview and different members of
the society and union took their turn.
The press in turn treated us well, with headlines like "Much-loved
Queen wants to be crowned", and "The steamer that saved thousands
of troops is lined up for crucial £2m Grant".
The Dockyard gathering and speeches were excellent, most with the common
theme of the enthusiasm that is found when people talk of the Medway
Queen. Mary Turner presented John Kempton with the Dunkirk plaque, who
gave a few words of thanks.
The cruise on the Kingswear Castle rounded off an excellent day. Thank
you to the GMB Union for sponsoring this day - it is a day that will
be remembered for a long time.
Brian
Goodhew, Press Officer MQPS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
MEDWAY QUEEN : PRESS RELEASE
Claim Officers from the National Heritage Lottery (south-east division)
visited the veteran paddle-steamer Medway Queen on 18 May. The visit
lasted five hours and a total inspection took place.
Once again, it's
a "finger-crossing and nail-biting" time for the members of
the Medway Queen Preservation Society, but we have been informed that
the officers should come to a decision within twelve weeks.
In the
meantime, a grant of £35,900 has been allocated. This is called
a Planning Grant and it will enable Mr Wyn Davies, Maritime Consultant
with the Fraser Nash Group, to cost the work involved. The job will
then be put out to tender and the results will be referred back to the
Lottery.
The survey
is now underway, visits have been made to survey the structure on the
6th - 7th July from stem to stern.
Brian Goodhew,
spokesman for the Medway Queen Preservation Society, called this tremendous
news, especially as this is the ninth year of Lottery applications.
It also
coincides with the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the Preservation
Society and this is the best news we could have hoped for as a birthday
present. Hopefully, it will lead to our final target of having the hull
replated and renovating part of the superstructure
------------------------------------------------------
GMB Union, Southern Region congratulates the Medway Queen Preservation
Society on obtaining the Lottery Planning Grant. And pledges it's support
for the project.
------------------------------------------------------
Albeit we have been awarded £35.900, our needs are £39.500,
which amounts to the society still having to find £3.950 being
basically 10% of the total amount.
This is why we need to keep funds coming into the project.
-------------------------------------------------------
It
has been agreed by the Committee to engage a Marine Surveyor to carry
out a new survey of the ship. This will be to satisfy the need of the
Heritage Lottery Fund when the new application is submitted for a smaller
sum to the
South-Eastern Committee of the HLF, relating to the possible restoration
of the hull.
A possible £50.000 'Project Planning Grant', as given to
the John H Amos paddle tug, is now available for a survey and
new conservation plan, this will not be part of our new application
for funding, being quite separate.
This Grant was not applied for on the second attempt, owing to the possible
delay for the furtherance of the existence of the ship, which sadly
did very little to enhance the restoration of the Medway Queen.
--------------------------------------------------------------
A meaningful meeting was held on Tuesday 23rd November
2004, between
Dr Michael Houghton Casework Manager South East England HLF,
John Kempton, Chairman of the MQPS, and John Chambers, Lottery Officer
MQPS.
Dr Houghton suggested a new application should be made this time to
the South East Division of the HLF. Claiming up to two million pounds
towards the replating of the hull.
Access and Learning, is a major part of this project following GMB advice.
If all this comes to be, the rebuild can be followed on this website,
also the possibility of visits to the
project by apprentices to learn
methods and trades in danger of being lost to shipbuilding.
This will be discussed at the next Committee Meeting on Monday 13th
December 2004.
============================================
HISTORY OF OUR RECENT LOTTERY APPLICATION.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the rejection
of our application for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, it has
have suggested by them, to try to help the Medway Queen by looking at
an application for a smaller grant.
This would be less than five million pounds, possibly being decided
by the South Eastern Committee, which deals with more local projects,
as opposed to the Trusties which deals with UK wise projects.
The figure of two million pouns plus has been banded around, for possible
restoration of the hull. The committee have been advised to look at
the possibilities to securer funding, by costing this for its feasibility,
and the future of the ship, bearing in mind to make access and learning
a strong part of this application.
We hope that we will not have to go through all the application as before,
but only time will tell.
Albeit the society have
looked at these options and tried to contact the HLF, they seem conspicuous
by their absence when efforts are made to contact the relevant people
or bodies.
Being on holiday, working from home , or need for others to decide,
what a coincidence.
All this possible
help being hearsay, nothing in writing,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Committee members, John Kempton (Chairman),
Noreen Chambers (Secretary), and Brian Burton (Vice Chairman), met Mr
Johnson and also Dr Michael Houghton of the HLF on Monday 23rd August
2004 in London.
The society expressed their concerns regarding the frail condition of
the Medway Queen, and the necessity of action sooner than later, possibly
a pontoon and or replating.
They advise us to go back and work on details of our requirements relating
to this possibility, and summit them. They seem to be supportive of
our project, but will mean more meetings to come before we know any
outcome; the door seems to be still open at present.
We will then look forward to a response from the HLF, albeit this time
it be a claim for less than five million, which could be dealt with
by the South East committee, and not the trustees.
The problem
being that we could well have to go through the whole process again
to even lodge another bid, the Medway Queen cannot continually wait
in the "wings" she may not have the time to do this.
=====================================
While
rejecting our bid, Stephen Johnson a Director of the lottery fund, said
on Radio Kent, that they were fully aware of the Medway Queen's situation
and are looking for a way of helping in a smaller way.
We are now going
to seek an appointment with Mr Johnson, with the request of help in
a rescue plan; the plan will cover a varied selection:
Possible hull replating, or down to the price of a pontoon, or dry dock
Meanwhile e-mail's of support have arrived from world-wide and other
preservation society also struggling to preserve historic ships, none
of which have as much history as the Medway Queen.
The Daily Mail
had said in the past "The Medway Queen is live history, she must
be saved"
Special thanks at this point, for Radio Kent, BBC TV, Radio Mersey,
Medway Messenger, KM Radio and Kent on Sunday for all their help, Also
the crew of the "Manxman" (we wish you better luck)
Looking to the
future, if this rescue plan should fail, there is no future for the
Medway Queen, and the long struggle comes to an end. Much to the shame
of the country
The Queen needs help more now than ever before.
Can someone out there please help?
Our
Secretary or Publicity Officer address can be found on our contacts
page
==========================================
The Heritage Lottery Fund has REJECTED our second bid
for funding.
Our initial official response to the media and to any inquirers will
be:
1.
Our Society is disappointed that the HLF has rejected our bid for funding
to save this famous ship.
2. The main reason for rejection appears to be " the ship does
not have enough heritage value to justify the expense of restoration"
3. The Heritage Lottery Fund claims to be short of funds
4. The officials of the HLF feel that the ship would not make enough
profit in service despite evidence by our expert and professional advisors.
5. Our Society regrets that the views of the Heritage Lottery Fund are
not very defined and also imbalanced.
This is our first response. A more detailed official response from the
committee will be prepared and circulated to the local and national
media, preservation journals, MPs and supporters. All society members
will be contacted by post.
The
Medway Queen is facing yet another battle for her survival once again.
===========================================
How the grants System works
Applications for less than £5 million are dealt with month
by month and decisions are relatively swift. Most grants of this type
are for very much less than £5 million.
Applications for over £5 million are dealt with in batches once
every six months and the applications are competing with one another.
The whole sum for a grant is put aside when granted even if the project
might take several years. It is not possible to make a series of small
applications for one project over a period of time.
==================================================
The Medway Queen has for many years been berthed at Damhead creek
at Hoo, near Rochester. Her condition can be described as "Frail"
visitors are discouraged on a safety basis, and "Public Liability
Insurance" is out of reach for us at present, and the site is part
of a working site being on private ground, (which has 24 hour security
patrols), that we have been allowed to stay on this past 14 years, thanks
to the owners.
Medway Queen is cared for by dedicated members of the Medway Queen Preservation
Society, who operate a daily boat watch and also gather once a week
to replace or repair as required on site as well as the boat.
The "Thursday Gang" as they are now known, is made up of skilled
workers from engineering, building trade, ship workers, and clerical
workers, so all the skills are on site, and of course not forgetting
those that have none of these skills, but play a very important part
in lending the extra hands as needed, including tea making being a very
important ritual ect, (always a useful job to do for everyone) also
at times these members work on site Saturday when available.
The second Lottery application has recently been completed. This time
at great expense, all the stages such as feasibility studies, maritime
survey ect; have been carried out with professional help.
We have had the asbestos removed from the boiler room and engine room,
being necessary preparation for restoration, at the cost of £12.000;
the possibility of restoration costs a considerable amount before it
can be even be put into motion.
At Present, the Medway Queen sits quietly alongside "Nessie"
which is a wartime concrete barge (possible use, fuel or water at that
time). The Queen herself looks different by the fact that the funnel
has been removed for safety reasons, a new funnel has been built by
the apprentices of the Appledore Shipyard in Devon (This yard has now
been taken over). The funnel now stands proudly for the time being,
on display in the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, waiting to be put in
its rightful place on a new hull. New paddle boxes are also being built
on site at Damhead alongside the boat, more can be seen about this on
this website.
On board the Medway Queen, the top deck has been covered in marine ply
to protect and help waterproof the interior, with a double covering
over the engine room. Down below you can see the forward saloon that
doubled up as an hospital on the Dunkirk runs in 1940, sadly many good
men having made it this far were to die before getting home again.
The engines are still in place; many passengers in the past have dallied
here at the magical sound, smell and sight of these types of engines,
an experienced never to be forgotten. The Ice Cream Kiosk still exists,
aft, as does the aft main saloon, were you could have a table, and watch
the world go by.
I will not mention any names for fear of omitting some, but the Medway
Queen may be the Heroine of Dunkirk, but the modern day heroes are all
those people who have work for the Medway Queen for up to 20years, all
year round no matter what the weather, conditions, on or off site This
unstinting effort must be worthy of the support they crave for the restoration
of this paddler. Bless them all, and thank you.
What of the future:
A Dry Dock, Pontoon or even a Shipyard of our own is needed urgently.