Manchester Ship Canal’s fascinating history has been brought to life at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery.
‘The Danny: Bringing the Manchester Ship Canal to the People of Warrington’ has been made possible thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers from the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society.
The display includes rare exhibits that have never before been on public show such as a fog horn from Latchford Locks that was used to safely guide ships during the dense industrial ‘smogs’ of the late 19th and 20th centuries.
The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS) made their name in 2004 when they formed to save The Daniel Adamson – or ‘Danny’ as it is now better known.
After more than a century of service, the much loved art deco steamship was days away from the breaker’s yard when it became the subject of a successful £5million fundraising campaign to restore it to its former glory.
Since then, The Danny has been seen on Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys and it has become part of the National Historic Fleet, the maritime version of Grade I listed building status – alongside vessels such as the Cutty Sark, HMS Victory and SS Great Britain.
A model of The Danny – built by a DAPS volunteer – and other artefacts and photographs from the 1903-built steamship’s history will also be featured in the showcase.
Other items include a ship’s bell from the Danny’s sister tug, W.E. Dorrington, and historic pressure gauges as well as photo albums and postcards reflecting Manchester Ship Canal’s early days and golden years.
Sadly, the display has been made possible following a bequest from the late Pat Brennan, a former member and volunteer of DAPS who was an avid collector of anything related to the canal and its tugs.
Upon his death, Pat also shared with the group keepsakes from his own career in the merchant navy. Some of these will make it into the display too – evoking a time when young men from the area went to sea in search of adventure.
Colin Leonard, DAPS volunteer and former ship canal tugman, said: “When the bequest was received, our team of volunteers spent many hours sorting and cataloguing Pat’s incredible collection.
“We were really touched and were so grateful to receive such a wealth of historical artefacts and personal memories that tell the story of the Manchester Ship Canal. We now can’t wait to share them with the public.”
Craig Sherwood, Collections Officer for Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, added: “It is a privilege to see these items, some of which have been in private hands and have never been on public display.
“It will bring back memories for the older generation in Warrington and hopefully create a shared interest in the past with younger people.”
‘The Danny: Bringing the Manchester Ship Canal to the People of Warrington’ is free to view at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery and runs until 22 February.
