supported
by the
National Heritage Memorial Fund & Heritage Lottery Fund
UPDATE JANUARY 2021
Portwey has now had her refurbished tail shafts, associated bearings and glands, and propellors re-fitted.
On 4 January she was towed across the river and moored back at her South Quay berth. She now faces East so that remedial work can begin on her port side rubbing strake and bulwarks (see photos).
With lockdown restrictions in force no work is being done apart from safety checks. Wednesday and Saturday working parties will resume as soon as allowed.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2020
On 23 November a call was received from Thamescraft Dry Docking Services with the request that Portwey be towed into dry dock on 2 December for the tail shafts and propellers to be re-fitted and some welding work to be carried out in the aft corners of the bulwarks. This was very short notice and meant quite a rush to prepare the aft cabin to give access to the working area.
The photos below show some of the work in progress.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2020
It has been a strange year for everyone and of course work on Portwey has been affected.
First there was the total lockdown starting in March and lasting for several months which prevented any work being done on Portwey. When the lockdown was finally lifted many restrictions remained in place but finally in late May a list of Covid-19 working practices, following government guidelines, was produced. PPE items were purchased and small working parties were able to resume in June.
The photos below show some of the work in progress.
These photos show the finished work:
The opportunity has also been taken to rebuild the brickwork at the back of the starboard furnace and replace all the fire bars which had become distorted:
On 22 July the refurbished tail shafts were collected but various small fittings need to be made before the tail shafts can be re-fitted. In addition the stern seals must be overhauled. It is hoped that Portwey can be dry-docked for all this work to be completed before the end of the year.
There will be further updates as and when we have more news. Meanwhile we wish all our members and supporters continuing good health and look forward to welcoming you back aboard when normality resumes.
EARLIER REFURBISHMENT DURING 2019
The following photographs show the dry docking progress during 2019 up to 2 September with brief descriptions.
The good news is that the thickness readings show that no areas are giving cause for concern.
They are now being refurbished at a heavy engineering firm in the Midlands.
We are trying to find new springs and sealing rings for the outer stern seals.
This photograph shows the port stern tube sealed ready for the move.
There has been a delay while the tail shafts and associated bearings and glands are
restored so as the dry dock was needed for other vessels Portwey had to be moved.
The yard is getting very busy again so it may be that Portwey will not have
the tail shafts and propellors refitted until Spring 2020.
Watch this space !
Steam Experience Days
Book a whole day on Portwey and be part of the crew, as a Steam Experience volunteer on any of our steaming days.
Join a crew member in the engine room, boiler room or on the bridge of our unique Vessel.
In the engine room you will have the opportunity to lubricate all of the seven steam engines on board, respond to telegraph instruction from the bridge to change speed or direction of the vessel and support the crew on watch.
In the boiler room you will add coal to our twin furnace boiler as directed to maintain boiler pressure between 100 and 135 psi, keep the water level within working limits by using the GS pump to add water and de-ash the grates as required.
On the bridge you will be under the supervision of the skipper and will steer the ship to maintain a given course. Use the telegraph to communicate with the engine room to change speed or reverse the ship and assist in keeping a record of course and speed.
On deck, this is your opportunity to view the seascape, help the deck crew tidy away ropes etc. and maintain a tidy ship.
The day costs £250 pp including:
one years membership of the Steam Tug Portwey Trust
plus ploughmans lunch and refreshments.
See information booklet and booking form.
Information and Bookings: stportweyevents@hotmail.co.uk
07833 411160
Filming and Corporate Days Out
Portwey is available for Filming and Corporate Days
out in and around Canary Wharf, London -
Information and Bookings: stportweyevents@hotmail.co.uk
07833 411160