29/06/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Lottery Funding Helps Chart a New Course for Historic Steamship SS Daniel Adamson
The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society secures National Lottery Heritage Fund support for "Setting a Steady Course to Northwich" project.
The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS), custodians of the historic steamship SS Daniel Adamson, is delighted to announce that it has received £153,525 funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a new project, "Setting a Steady Course to Northwich".
Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project will explore the future role of the iconic vessel within Northwich's maritime heritage landscape, while strengthening plans for her long-term conservation and sustainability.
Known affectionately as The Danny, SS Daniel Adamson is the UK's last surviving passenger-carrying coal-fired steam tug tender and one of the nation's most important historic vessels. Rescued by volunteers in 2004 and restored following a £3.8 million Heritage Fund grant, the vessel is now recognised as one of the UK's most significant maritime heritage assets.
The new project will investigate whether Northwich could become a long-term operational and maintenance base for the vessel, building on existing relationships with Northwich Town Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Canal & River Trust, Northwich Dry Dock Company and other local stakeholders.
The work will include:
• Assessing the feasibility of bringing The Danny into Northwich town centre.
• Exploring options for a secure maintenance and volunteer base at Navigation Yard.
• Developing an updated ten-year Conservation Management Plan for the vessel.
• Providing governance and heritage training for trustees.
• Examining opportunities for tourism, education, volunteering and community engagement.
• Strengthening partnerships that could support Northwich's cultural and regeneration ambitions.
The project comes at a pivotal time for both The Danny and Northwich. DAPS recently lost access to key maintenance facilities in Liverpool, creating an urgent need to explore alternative arrangements that will safeguard the vessel's future.
At the same time, Northwich is developing ambitious plans for regeneration, waterfront development and a potential Town of Culture bid. The Danny could become a focal point for celebrating the town's rich maritime heritage alongside attractions such as the Lion Salt Works, Weaver Hall Museum and the Anderton Boat Lift.
The project will also help strengthen the skills and knowledge of the volunteer team who care for the vessel, ensuring that specialist maritime heritage conservation expertise is passed down to younger volunteers.
By bringing together heritage organisations, local authorities, businesses and community partners, the project aims to create a shared vision for preserving The Danny and celebrating the wider maritime heritage of the River Weaver.
Cheshire West and Chester Councillor and Northwich Deputy Mayor, Rachel Waterman is excited for the potential of the project to reinvigorate and bring new attention to the significant maritime heritage and waterfront potential of the town:
“The Daniel Adamson on a berth within Northwich town would play a significant role in bringing our maritime heritage to life and in strengthening connections with other important local attractions, including Anderton Boat Lift and the Lion Salt Works and beyond.
The Daniel Adamson project absolutely represents a tangible and valuable opportunity to enhance Northwich as a place to live, work and visit and it also would strongly enhance our heritage offer while supporting wider economic, cultural and community objectives.”
Andy King, Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Chairman could not be happier at this timely support from the Heritage Fund
“This is a fantastic milestone for The Danny and everyone who has worked so tirelessly to protect her over many years. The National Lottery Heritage Funding provides us with a vital opportunity to secure her long-term future, while unlocking her potential as a flagship for Northwich’s maritime heritage and wider regeneration. It’s an incredibly exciting moment – not just for The Danny, but for the whole region – and we’re now looking forward to working with our partners, supporters and local communities to turn this opportunity into something truly transformational for Northwich and beyond.”
Jane Hough, Deputy Director for Business Improvement Districts and Business Services, Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside, and Chair of Cheshire Central Partnership has been a stalwart supporter of the project:
"The Cheshire Central Partnership Board is delighted that the Daniel Adamson Society has been successful in securing this Lottery funding. The Danny is a unique and much-loved part of our area's heritage, and this investment will help ensure The Danny can continue to inspire and educate future generations. We are proud to have supported this bid and look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will bring".
Jon Horsfall, Canal and River Trust Director NW, understands the challenges the Danny and the waterways heritage sector are facing, and celebrates the potential of the work to highlight a way forward for the Danny and the Weaver:
“Canal & River Trust are delighted by the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society’s successful bid and look forward to participating in consultation regarding the projects ambition. The Trust shares many of the challenges faced by the society.
Consequently, we welcome the opportunity to review any opportunity to secure funding to enable the Weaver navigation to play a part in the future ambitions for the Daniel Adamson and other users.”
While partners across local government and Canal and River Trust celebrate the opportunities the project will investigate and grow for the area, the National Lottery Heritage Fund is delighted at the community the project will build for maritime heritage.
Louise Sutherland, Head of Engagement, said:
“We are delighted to support The Danny with this important resilience project. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society can work to strengthen the organisation, build relationships, and create more opportunities for people to get involved with maritime heritage. This project is an excellent example of how we can help heritage organisations to build a long and sustainable future.”
The feasibility work and conservation planning will take place during 2026–2027.
Notes to Editors
About SS Daniel Adamson
Built in 1903, SS Daniel Adamson is the last surviving passenger-carrying coal-fired steam tug tender in the United Kingdom. Operated by The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, she offers heritage cruises and educational experiences across the Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Weaver waterways.
About The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS)
DAPS is a registered charity dedicated to preserving, operating SS Daniel Adamson for public benefit. Supported by two members of staff and around 80 volunteers, the organisation has safeguarded the vessel since her rescue in 2004.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
heritagefund.org.uk
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About the Project
Setting a Steady Course to Northwich is a National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project exploring the future conservation, operation and community role of SS Daniel Adamson within Northwich and the wider River Weaver heritage corridor.
ENDS
Canal & River Trust The National Lottery Heritage Fund Cheshire West and Chester Council Northwich Drydock Company Radio Northwich Rachel Waterman Sam Naylor Kate Cernik Arthur Neil Robert Cernik National Historic Ships UK National Transport Trust Andrew Cooper MP Inland Waterways Association Anderton Boat Lift & Visitor Centre fans Northwich and Winsford Guardian National Waterways Museum
