One of the UK’s premier historic steamships celebrates a double anniversary this year with both her 122nd birthday and 10th year back in service after being saved from the scrapyard at the eleventh hour for £1 and restored to superb working order.
The SS Daniel Adamson, a unique combination of Edwardian tugboat and art deco passenger ferry, sails back onto the North West rivers and canals this spring for a variety of cruises aimed at all ages and pockets.
Destinations and voyages range from Liverpool city centre docks, across the ocean-like expanse of the River Mersey, through lush green Cheshire countryside on the Weaver Navigation and to the world famous Anderton Boat Lift.
Fares start with the bargain One Hour Family Trips at just £5/ £10 for Children/ Adults – an ideal way for youngsters to get the ‘steamboat bug’ aboard ‘The Danny’ and enjoy the rare experience to be afloat on our fascinating local waterways.
The main 2025 season launches with one of three lengthy ‘signature’ trips, The Cross River Job, departing with from the vessel’s winter maintenance berth in Sandon dock, Liverpool, to Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead including tours of both dock systems and the River Mersey.
The Cross River Jobname refers to the pre-container era when large freighters would discharge cargo in Liverpool and then, shepherded by tugs often overnight, would move across to finish unloading in Birkenhead.
In contrast the next day The Cheshire Sheaf cruise will see ‘The Danny’ steam from Birkenhead to her summer berth at Sutton Weaver, near Frodsham.
The 2025 programme also sees ‘The Danny’ take in her old operating area along the Manchester Ship Canal when she doubled both as top tugboat and directors’ inspection vessel, with trips to both Mode Wheel Lock, near Salford, and to Latchford Locks, near Warrington.
Her appearance in Liverpool’s Albert Dock will feature occasionally in 2025, but public demand means much of the sailing schedule focuses on the River Weaver, via the best of Cheshire’s countryside, with many trips including the Anderton Boat Lift.
Back by popular request is the third of the ‘signature’ trips, the “Little Leigh Steam Party” sees a heritage trip from Liverpool’s Canning Dock, all the way up to Acton Bridge on the River Weaver where the Danny will meet up with dozens of other, historic boats and steam driven traction engines for the end of season steam party.
The season also features special Meet the Brewer cruises celebrating locally produced beer, aimed at not only real ale fans, but also all those who simply enjoy a fine pint.
