On October 5,7 and 8 October, the iconic Daniel Adamson steam ship (affectionately known as The Danny) will be docked at the iconic Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich, Cheshire and offering river cruises and selected free guided tours. The unique Danny is a 1903 steam ship and is the oldest operational Mersey-built boat anywhere in the world. It is also an Art Deco masterpiece. For information about booking please go to www.thedanny.co.uk
Cruise visitors will enjoy commentary about The Danny’s history, including intriguing stories behind the steam ship and its impact on marine and social history. There will also be information about the ship’s restoration and how its Art Deco interiors have been recreated from original 1936 photos.
Visitors to the Danny will be given a free guided tour by one of its volunteers where they will be shown the engine rooms, will take a look at the wheelhouse and will see the ship’s beautiful Art Deco saloons.
Depending on the day, cruises can be boarded at either the Anderton Boat Lift or at Acton Bridge Marina, just 15 minutes’ drive away (buses will be provided). The Danny is berthed opposite the Leigh Arms Pub (Warrington Rd, Northwich, CW8 4QT)
Friday 5 October
12 – 1.30pm Board at Anderton Boat Lift, travel to Acton Bridge (coach back to Anderton Boat Lift). Cost £20.00 per person
Saturday 6 October
Free guided tours of The Danny between 11am – 4pm
Sunday 7 October
1pm- 4pm Board at Action Bridge, travel along the picturesque River Weaver to Sutton Weaver via the Anderton Boat Lift , before returning by water to Action Bridge. This cruise is part of the Little Leigh Steam Party. Cost: £32.00 (£10 for children)
Monday 8 October
11am – 4.30pm Board bus at the Anderton Boat Lift to Action Bridge then board The Danny to travel along the River Weaver to Sutton Weaver via the Anderton Boat Lift. Bus from Sutton Weaver back to the Anderton Boat Lift. Cost: £55.00
The Anderton Boat Lift is part of the Canal & River Trust Charity and is widely known as the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’. It is the world’s first successful boat lift and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with the same protection status as Stonehenge. The Lift, built in 1875, is still in operation today, floating boats between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal. It is a monument to high Victorian engineering.
Timothy Turner, General Manager, Anderton Boat Lift, said: “There is a huge amount of interest in The Danny. It is a remarkable survivor from the steam age and is very evocative of a by-gone era. I hope people enjoy seeing the Lift and sailing in The Danny – it is a perfect combination.”
Dan Cross, Chairman, The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, said: “We are delighted The Danny is moored at the iconic Anderton Boat Lift and looking forward to sailing visitors along the River Weaver. I hope this is something that we can do more of in the future.”
Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys will feature The Danny on Sunday 28 October. The programme is hosted by Prunella Scales, Tim West and, in this episode, their actor son, Sam West.
In September 2018, the Lift won Cheshire’s Annual Award for Large Attraction of the Year 2018. Owned by the Canal & River Trust Charity, the Lift is an interesting combination of working historic structure and fun, educational experience. The Anderton Boat Lift is owned by the Canal & River Trust and was restored in 2002 after a £7 million restoration made possible due to a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.