Graffiti
We discovered some 60 year old chalk graffiti behind a bulkhead in the bosun’s cabin. I wonder if Andy Scott still lives in Bingham Place
Hacks
I presume the people accessing the log in page of my website are hackers. No idea what they hope to gain but my password is not Password. Good luck with wasting your time and driving up my views. Thank you. I’m so proud.
Myford Lathe
I recently came into possession of this Myford lathe. It is on loan to the SS Explorer. It came with a DC motor which is unfortunate as we don’t want to be running the harbour generator to use it. I have therefore invested in a VFD motor and controller which I fitted today and successfully …
The Lathe
As well as volunteering on the SS Explorer, I also volunteer as an engineer on the Royal Yacht Britannia. As a result I have been gifted this lathe. It is a Myford ML7-R. The Royal Yacht disposed of it because it was surplus to requirements as another better lathe is on board and also the …
The Log
The ship’s log. What is it? There are a few logs on a ship. A navigation log on the bridge would record the ship’s position, weather, sea temperature among other things. In the engine room, temperatures, pressures and machinery status would be recorded. A movement log would be kept on the bridge and in the …
Derek Learmont
It is with a heavy heart that I have to pass on the following message from David Darling, Derek’s Stepson. He has contacted me to say that Derek has passed away. “Can you please pass on to the members that Derek Learmont, passed away on 11th Feb due to cancer.There will be a service held …
Longitude
Seafarers have long been able to determine their latitude (that is the angle in degrees, minutes and seconds north or south of the equator. This is called declination) by measuring the angle between stars and the horizon. The easiest example of this is the pole star, Polaris which is located less than one degree from …
The Harbour Generator
I thought I would resurrect this masterclass for anyone interested. It is also published on the video link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upuUhiKiJN8
The Main Switchboard
Continuing the blog on an electrical theme, ladies and gentlemen I give you the main switchboard. It is a live front switchboard with live knife type breakers. Dinnae touch them. Explorer is (was) powered by three diesel powered dynamos. Two 80kw units and one 24kw harbour dynamo. The centre circuit breaker is the harbour dynamo’s …
The Megger
Continuing on the geekery of electrical test instruments, Pictured here is the Megger. So named because it measures megohms. Ohms is the unit of electrical resistance. If one volt is applied to a one ohm resistor a current of one amp will flow and one watt of heat will be generated The Megger can measure …
210 metres eh?
One of our members donated this device to Explorer. It consists of a frame attached to a Venturi containing an impeller connected to two worm drives. The worm drive is attached what presumably was a recording device. A bourdon tube is attached for reasons yet to be gleaned. It seems to have a depth limit …
The Avometer
Avometer The Explorer didn’t carry a dedicated electrician. The ship’s engineers and radio officer would have been responsible for electrical maintenance and repairs. A multimeter is an essential tool for diagnosing electrical faults. Nowadays multimeters tend to be small digital devices. In Explorer’s service days, the rather bulky Avometer would have been used. The …
Ice Strengthened Hull
What is ice strengthening? People sometimes ask what is meant by an ice strengthened hull and how is it achieved. Ice strengthening allows the ship to operate in light ice known as nilas which is less than 10cm thick. Typically this would be designed into ships likely to operate in polar waters such as cruise …
Work continues apace on the monkey island
Over the past few weeks our volunteers have been repairing perforations on the deck of the monkey island. This has been achieved by riveting aluminium patches over the holes and sealing them with mastic.
Crew mess room refresh
Over the past few weeks our volunteers have been freshening up this space which is the crew mess room. The bulkheads and deckhead have been painted. Various joinery repairs and maintenance carried out. Wooden floor liner installed and new carpet tiles installed. The volunteers can now enjoy smoko in the very lap of luxury.
Group visit to Explorer.
One time Explorer chef Jimmy Yorkson (centre) leads a group of visitors to the ship.
Making Mooring Lines
Some of our mooring lines were getting a bit ropey, (I’m here all week). So a used but serviceable line was retrieved from the net store, in all 220 metres and enough to make several lines, but it had only one eye spliced into it. It was installed as the forward spring but leaving us …
Elementor #4997
Ji Duff promoting our cause at Leith Market last Saturday.
Victoria Swing Bridge
https://www.forthports.co.uk/latest-news/forth-ports-plan-full-repair-of-leiths-a-listed-victoria-swing-bridge/
Wear and tear
Around October 2018 a project was commenced to shelter the monkey island with a tent to allow for more permanent renovation of the corroded deck. After two and a half years of service the fabric of the tent requires renovation itself. Some sections of the plastic sheeting require replacement. The damage above occurred during …
Why did the deck rot?
Rot. I have discovered (from the YouTube channel below) that fresh water rots wood and salt water conserves it. I guess it makes sense as salt is a widely used preservative. Having been subject to lots of good old Scottish rain over the past 30 or so years the decks have had their share …
Heritage at home – The Wellington Trust
Part of the heritage at home initiative The Wellington Trust runs lectures on historical subjects. Members of the Society take a look at their favorate items.
Culture and heritage: Edinburgh economic recovery panel
Culture and Heritage discussion panel Culture and heritage was the focus of the economic recovery discussion panel last week hosted by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. With the panel representing a broad spectrum of the Sector including Colin Marr Director Edinburgh Playhouse, Julia Amour Director Edinburgh Festivals, Benny Higgins Chair National Galleries of Scotland and …
Culture and heritage: Edinburgh economic recovery panel Read More »
Fire Warden Training
Today eight volunteers were given fire warden training by Alex McPheators of Fire Scotland. This consisted of a couple of hours classroom (or officer’s saloon) training. This was followed by a very wet and rainy discharge of fire extinguishers to put out gas simulated fires.
Fire detectors (again)
A further three fire detectors have been fitted making a total of six. Depressing the red test button on any detector for a few seconds will cause all others to sound. They are located as follows. In the foc’sle outside the paint store In the workshop Above the companionway down to the saloon Above the …
Daisy chained fire detectors fitted
Due to a recent incident it was decided to upgrade our fire detection system. The three domestic smoke alarms sounded only in the engine room, and not overly loudly. These have been supplemented with three wirelessly connected alarms. When one sounds the remainder also sound. It is likely that another three will be purchased to …
Breathing Apparatus 1950s style
Discovered in the net storage hold this bellows for pumping air to breathing apparatus. We have yet to discover the headgear or hose but we live in hope.
Ultrasound Hull Thickness Study
An ultrasound thickness survey has been carried out on the SS Explorer in the vicinity of the waterline as this is the area considered to be most vulnerable to corrosion. The readings were taken from inside the hull at all accessible frames. X marks frames not accessible. The results are encouraging with most readings being …
Secret Edinburgh
An unusual guide The SS Explorer gets a couple of pages in this fine publication with lots of other fascinating stuff in and around Edinburgh.
Website upgrade
I’ve had the website in the workshop for a few days up on ramps to try and squeeze some more speed out of it. The graphic below shows the readings before tune up. Before So after stiffening up the suspension and shaving the cylinder heads to up the compression ratio, fitting low profile alloys and …
Merchant Navy Day 2020
Today is Merchant Navy day, a day that recognises the brave men and women that kept Britain afloat during 2 world wars and acknowledges the dependence the UK has on modern day merchant seafarers for more than 90% of our imports. Across the country various public, government and other organisations show their support for the …
Annual General Meeting 2020
SS Explorer AGM Dear Volunteers, Members and Supporters We hope you are well and staying safe during these difficult times. In a change to our usual AGM arrangements due to the challenges of social distancing, our 2020 AGM will be held as a Zoom meeting on Saturday 26 September at 12.00 when we will carry …
Summer Technical Bulletin
Its time for another update of what’s happening onboard the SS Explorer, with the 3rd of our quarterly Technical Bulletins. As you can imagine with Covid 19 there’s still not much happening on the ship itself. However we are getting ready to be able to open the ship to our volunteers again so work can …
Rookies error?
It would appear that Alexander Hall & Co. Ltd planned to install two lavatories on the starboard side of the ship next to the officer’s pantry. What they don’t appear to have taken account of is the rather relevant fact that the outlet from these shunkies is about three feet below the waterline. A fact …
Covid 19 volunteer induction
Last month on our blog I posted about what the Society was doing to be able to open again to our volunteers for work onboard as Covid lockdown measures have eased. That work is still in progress as equipment is being purchased and how we work and socialise during the working day is having to change. …
Historic Ship Conference 2020
The Historic Ship conference, organised by The Royal Institution of Naval Architects, takes places every 2 years and is a significant part of the historic ships event calendar bringing together owners, operators, academics and industry specialists. The conferences started in 2007 and this will be the 7th conference. Research paper abstract approved. The Society recently …
13 Historic Ships granted funding from National Historic Ship UK.
A total of 13 historic ships were awarded funds from the National Historic Ships UK Small grant fund this month. Grants ranged from £300 to £1000 and were for work including a new shower pod to removal of engines and cleaning bilges. The ships also ranged from 1886 – 1960 and the Ross Revenge and …
13 Historic Ships granted funding from National Historic Ship UK. Read More »
COVID 19: Safely reopening the SS Explorer
As the Covid 19 lockdown measures are eased the Society is looking forward to reopening the ship. In order to do that a risk assessment has been carried out to ensure the Society can provide an environment where the risks of Covid 19 have been reduced to as low as reasonably practical. Initially the SS …
Secret Unusual Edinburgh
I’m not allowed to say where the speaking tube is located ? https://www.facebook.com/secretunusualedinburgh/photos/a.522693154602784/1458177144387709/?type=3
Day of the seafarer, seafarers of the past support the seafarers of today.
Day of the seafarer 2020, the theme seafarers are key workers. We would like to say a thank you to all seafarers today for everything they are doing to keep the global supply chain operating, delivering medical supplies, food, fuel PPE and more which we need on a daily basis. We understand that many seafarers …
Day of the seafarer, seafarers of the past support the seafarers of today. Read More »
SS Explorer’s first major press release for 2020
The team at the SS Explorer has distributed our first press release of 2020. The release covers our recent regional flagship award from National Historic Ships UK. We send out a draft to a number of stakeholders and received some positive comments for inclusion into the final release. “This is the first time the SS …
SS Explorer’s first major press release for 2020 Read More »
First online Summer STEM Academy features a fasinating SS Explorer activity
The SS Explorer Preservation Society is taking part in the first online Summer STEM Academy, along with a number of other businesses and academic institutions. The Academy normally runs for a few days in Glasgow and Edinburgh each year and provides and opportunity for Students and Teachers to take part in activities designed to make …
First online Summer STEM Academy features a fasinating SS Explorer activity Read More »
Get involved in World Oceans Day and help save our oceans.
Today is World Oceans day. An initiative started in 1992 to show people how they could help raise awareness and protect our Oceans. For decades various marine research organisations around the globe have and continue to carry out vital work in understanding the issues, how they affect our oceans and what can be done. For …
Get involved in World Oceans Day and help save our oceans. Read More »
Volunteers week, a thank you to all our fantastic volunteers
As a charity the SS Explorer Preservation Society relies totally upon all of you, our amazing volunteers. We would not be where we are today if it were not for all the work put in over so many years by our group of volunteers. That includes those who volunteer off the ship as well, work …
Volunteers week, a thank you to all our fantastic volunteers Read More »
Back to Work
Following the loosening of CV restrictions, work continues of maintenance of the Explorer. Today we finished the base framing of the monkey island deck. We also loose laid one sheet of plywood mainly to develop a safe way of transporting the wood up to the top deck.
SS Explorer wins 1 of 4 National Historic Ships UK New Regional Virtual Flagship Awards.
The team on the SS Explorer are happy to announce that we have been named as the Regional Flag ship for Scotland East in this years National Historic Ships UK 2020 Flag ship Awards. The awards usually reflects the cruising programme or visitor numbers of each craft. Instead, for the first time, applications were open …
SS Explorer wins 1 of 4 National Historic Ships UK New Regional Virtual Flagship Awards. Read More »
FLAGSHIP OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020
We are delighted to announce that SS Explorer has been selected as Flagship of the year for Scotland East 2020.
Explorer meets Scotia
Due to the current epidemic many ships are laid up in Leith including SS Explorer’s great granddaughter the Scotia which is now sharing the Edinburgh Dock.
Fantastic Historic Ship Visitor Attraction Appeals for Help
Our historic ship visitor attraction needs your help. In my deputy chair’s message last month I mentioned the Society was working on ways that our members and volunteers could continue to help and support the SS Explorer during lock down. Please click to watch my short appeal video below to learn how you can help. …
Fantastic Historic Ship Visitor Attraction Appeals for Help Read More »
School at home fun activities
Today the Society launches its first school at home learning sheet, this is aimed at early primary and we hope will keep children busy for a little while with something educational but will a bit of a difference. There are 3 activities on the sheet, a word search, a counting activity and a picture to …
Explorer Enthusiasts take part in fun pub quiz
Members of the society recently took part in the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s first virtual pub quiz. The team, Explorer Enthusiasts, managed to score a reasonable 77 points through the 7 round quiz. Although we would have benefited from a younger member or 2 on the team with some of the more modern music and …
#museumfromhome
Today as part of museumfromhome and heritagefromhome the SS Explorer is virtually open to the public. Look through our website and find out more about this unique historic ship and piece of heritage engineering. Watch some of the ex crew members talk about their time onboard the ship, see her in action carrying out research …
Obituary. David N MacLennan
David N. MacLennan It is with great sadness that we report the passing, at the age of 80 years, of David MacLennan, one of the great pioneers of fisheries acoustics. He succumbed to a stroke earlier this week, which is particularly sad given his recent promising recovery from preliminary cancer treatment. This indomitable spirit was a …
Work on Historic ship PS Waverley Progresses
Work on the historic ship PS Waverly continues slowly as the new boilers and upgrades to the electrical systems take place. Last year the vessel had to be taken out of service due to problems with its boilers. A huge charity appeal was undertaken to raise the funds required to replace the boiler which weren’t …
A message from the deputy chair
Message from the Deputy Chair of the Board “During this unprecedented time the Board of Directors have taken the decision to close the ship to the public and volunteers, although the security of the ship is still being monitored. I would like to reassure our members and volunteers that we are financially robust enough to be able …
A new member from Poland
Today we had a membership application from Andrzej Orwolski. Andrezj served on the Explorer in 1974 where he was schooled in the science of fishery research by Mr Craig, Mr Forbes and Bill Dickson. He has kindly given us permission to use his photographs on the website and they are fantastic. But I am going …
A request from the Citadel Arts Group
The Citadel Arts Group living memory project are asking for people with memories and photos of the SS (FRV) Explorer to contact me either through lizhare@blueyonder.co.uk or through our web site. So far we have memories from 2 scientists- John and Doug Beverage, a cook and a galley boy, Terry Liddell so we need trawler …
Tallys
The Marine Laboratory in Torry has gifted us some hat tallys from Explorer’s time in service. We will need to obtain a couple of sailor caps to fit them to. Hello Sailor!
The Talking Funnel
A lady who is publishing a bit about Explorer in a book (Secret Edinburgh. An Unusual Guide), asked for a photograph of what she rather charmingly called the “Talking Funnel”. So she got one. Here is the talking funnel!
Monkey Island Progress
Today we finished putting a coat of primer on our corroded deck. Next step is an interim measure to keep the boat dry by sealing the perforations with this.—->
Status report Mr Sulu
Check out the status board Captain. In my days at sea the blackboard was king. It never crashed, and as long as it was updated, never by WiFi it worked fine. Anyway here’s the mysterious thing. I have an O level in marine engineering and I can decode quite a lot of this, but…… Everything …
Stream-line
Today’s geekery involves the Stream-line lubricating oil filter. It filtered the oil from the two main generators. Manufactured by Stream-line Filters LTD. Hele-Shaw Works Ingate Place, London, SW8
Scottish Marine Lab.
On the first of November, five Explorer volunteers visited the Scottish Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen. The marine lab scheduled the science that Explorer was tasked with. John Dunn, ex-chief scientist on Explorer gave us a tour. The net shop is the last remaining in Aberdeen. Here, rolls of net are assembled into a trawl net. …
Kent Screen
The Explorer has two Kent screens (or clear view screens) in the wheelhouse. The Kent screen is a device where the glass is rotated at high speed to force water of by centrifugal force. Other manufacturers are about but the Kent was much used in UK ships.
Anodes
In February 2017 we installed zinc sacrificial anodes on steel wire to help protect the hull against corrosion. These work because oxidants, which corrode metals, will oxidize the zinc anode rather than the protected metal structure, thus preventing the structure from being corroded. Every now and again we have to land the anodes to remove …
The monkey island continues…..
Today we needle gunned and soda blasted a small area of the monkey island. We then applied marine primer. It obviously won’t fix the leaks, but we are hoping it will provide a corrosion barrier before we do plug the leaks.
The huffduff
Todays bit of of geekery is the High Frequency Direction Finder, abbreviated HFDF and often referred to as the hufffduff. It’s function was to determine the bearing of a radio transmitter on the high frequency band which is in the range of 3 to 30 megahertz. This is the range that ship’s medium and long …
A Very Big Thank You……..
……..to Scott Crearie for his very generous donation of £10,000 to the societies coffers. This is by far the biggest donation since the original purchase of Explorer by the society. Thank You Scott.
The Megger
Another bit of historical geekery, the Megger. In these days of practically anything and everything being “Mega”, the Megger was eponymously named as it’s purpose was to measure electrical resistance in the range of “megohms”, a megohm being one million ohms, which is a lot. It was often used as a practical joke device whereby …
The Avometer
Today’s geekfest is the Avometer. Although this one was donated by our late friend Brian Murdoch, it is a racing certainty that a similar instrument would have been used by the engineers and radio officer on board the Explorer. The AVO in the name stands for Amps, Volts and Ohms which is precisely the electrical …
Thrust meter
The thrust meter measures the thrust at the thrust block using a hydraulic ram to get a pressure reading.
Geekery of the day: The Telegraph
A ship’s telegraph was used to transmit engine orders from the wheelhouse to the machinery spaces. Unfortunately the wheelhouse and engine room telegraphs on the Explorer have been purloined leaving only the stokehold instrument. The wheelhouse would use a handle to position the telegraph to order the desired speed. A bell would ring in the …
Decca
Geek alert! The SS Explorer’s type 21 Decca Navigator. In the days before satellite navigation, Decca ruled the roost for short range navigation. Land based transmitters, a master and three slaves would form a “chain” located around the area. These would transmit on discrete frequencies from 70 to 130 kHz. Special charts with a Decca …
Press
https://www.thenational.scot/news/17830384.ss-explorer-seeks-help-tourist-attraction-plan/
The Association of Retired Fishermen- North Shields
We were visited by these guys today. They took a coach up from North Shields and had a cuppa and a tour of the boat. Michael Smith, one of their number, presented us with a fabulous sketch of the Explorer in action. Thanks for visiting.
An outbreak of……
…….. hard labour on the monkey island today saw the remnants of the wooden decking removed. The big top it turns out makes an excellent greenhouse and all the troops were sweating like a glassblowers bum. We are now ready for phase 3, when we have worked out what phase three is.
Stage two complete
Six months after starting this project we have hit milestone number two. The wooden decking is removed (bar a few details). A couple of big holes in the deck above the radio officer’s cabinet which has been badly affected by water. Now we can see why. Next stage is to remove all the corrosion before …
Another former crew member.
Another ex crew member visited today. Alex Maine came to share some of his memories of his time on the Explorer.
Then and now.
Today we were visited by Donald Ballance, a scientist on Explorer between 1966 and 1974. Here is a photo of him then and a photo of him now. His tour was more informative for the volunteer conducting it that for him.
A Dreich Day
After some appalling weather, both wind and rain, the big top seems to be doing its job. There is dampness due to blowing rain and slight leaks but nothing is penetrating to the interior. More progress made today and we now have around a third of the deck up. It’s a slog. And rain and …
Main Deck Passageway
Our newly painted main deck passage which Jim Duff has been beavering away at for a week or three.
Monkey Island. Let the renovations begin.
Today, after fettling the Big Top we began assessing a repair strategy for the deck of the monkey island which has been leaking rainwater, damaging the internal fabric of the ship. We began by developing a method of removing the planking without damaging the aluminium structure. Some of the wood is rotten and crumbles but …
Diesel Tanks
Port and Starboard Diesel Tanks Both these tanks were inspected visually through the manhole doors on 260119. The starboard tank is in relatively good condition and the port tank has light surface corrosion. The port tank is not currently considered suitable for fuel storage.
The Big Top
The big top pretty much complete except at the aft end. Will have to consider if we have enough Monarflex to do the remaining unshielded parts. Should keep most of the water off the deck and out of the accommodation. Turns out it consumed many more man hours than I had imagined. Hoping to start …
The Monkey Island (If anyone has expertise in aluminium corrosion control, can you get in touch please)
A bit of a windy one today and testing the mettle of the Big Top. It is standing up so far but requires tweaking and maintenance. Also we have still to shield the forward and after ends, but we are awaiting delivery of further anchors and clamps. When we had run out of tent tweaks, …
Erecting Tents
Starting to get some shelter for the monkey island now. Another day or two hard labour should see this finished.
The big top progress
One step forward…….. Started covering the tent poles today. Unfortunately due to a rookies error, the poles are too far apart. The blue reinforcing pads should be aligned with the poles. Doh! So we have lowered the main stay ready to saw some pipe on Tuesday. ?
Protection for the Monkey Island
Rigging for a tent over the Monkey Island taking shape. When complete it will allow us to repair the leaking deck over the winter.
Harbour Generator
Today, Andy carried out a long overdue oil change and filter clean on the harbour generator. Around 20 litres of oil and 2 litres of water sludge were drained and the sump cleaned with rags. Fresh oil added snd the save all cleaned.
Farewell Brian Murdoch
A message from the Chairman of the SS Explorer Preservation Society Brian Murdoch It is with a very heavy heart that I must let you know that our good friend, Brian Murdoch has died. Following a period where he struggled against a form of blood cancer he succumbed to an infection he was unable to …
You want Decking?
The main deck starboard side has been a slip and trip hazard for a very long time due to deterioration of the wood and is very slippery in the wet. Today we had donated some nice wooden planks which we have laid down the deck and covered with mesh to make a nice safe walkway. …
Arctic Corsair
Continuing my adventures in the lookshoory superyacht Síbín, I find myself in Kingston upon Hull, or ‘ull as the locals say. ‘ull is home to the Arctic Corsair, a motor trawler built in 1960 in Beverley. She is now a visitor attraction on the River ‘ull, and she is about to receive a massive cash …
National Fishing Heritage Centre and MV Ross Tiger
Yesterday I visited the above attractions in Grimsby. These provide a bit of a template to a possible future for the SS Explorer. The Ross Tiger has been opened up internally to allow visitors a reasonably easy tour although she is not suitable for people of reduced mobility. The heritage centre is very well thought …
National Fishing Heritage Centre and MV Ross Tiger Read More »
Chairman’s Report
SS Explorer Preservation Society – Annual General Meeting 7 July 2018 Chairman’s Report Since my last update, given at last year’s AGM, many things of note have happened: One of our most important tasks is building the organisation in order that we can be seen as credible in the eyes of potential funders and we …
Annual General Meeting
SS Explorer Preservation Society – Annual General Meeting Saturday 7 July 2018 at 12 midday for a start at 12.15 Leith Docker’s Club, 17 Academy Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7EE Agenda 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Apologies for absence 3. Minutes of previous AGM 4. Matters Arising 5. Chairman’s Report – Andy Marjoribanks 6. Treasurer’s …
Welcome aboard Halina and Steve
Today, we are delighted to welcome on board our newest volunteers, Halina Pasiecznik and Steve Ball. Welcome to the view from your window Halina and Steve.
Friends of the Maritime Heritage Trust
I have been asked to publicise some events by the above organisation. Friends of The Maritime Heritage Trust Forthcoming Visits 30 June 2018 – Richmond Historic and ceremonial river craft and gentlemen’s yachts. The day will include behind the scenes visits and traditional boat trips on the Thames. Further details – meet at Richmond Bridge …
Forth Ports open day at Leith Docks
Forth Ports hosted an open day at the docks today taking visitors on a tour of the port in vintage buses. Never one to miss an opportunity, our chairman Andy organised for the buses to stop at the SS Explorer while he boarded and gave a short talk and passed out publicity material. A guestemated …
What connects the SS Explorer to the Rainbow Warrior?
When Explorer was under construction in Halls shipyard in 1955, another vessel was under construction in Hall Russel at the same time. This ship was to be the Sir William Hardy, a fishery research vessel commissioned by the the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Unlike Explorer, she was a diesel electric vessel and suffered …
What connects the SS Explorer to the Rainbow Warrior? Read More »
A busy and productive day…
…on the Explorer. We were visited by five people from Epoch Design (.co.uk) who were given a partial tour (due to their time constraints) and tea and bikkys. Mean while, in the fishroom, work continues to make a workshop space by the building of a workbench by our highly skilled craftsmen. A wee …
Thursday visitors
Today we hosted a couple of tours of the SS Explorer. The larger group were procurement professionals from the Northern Irish, Welsh and Scottish governments. And a net gain of three new members. Tours are always available through info@ssexplorer.org
Fishroom workshop
Work continues on making the fishroom into a workshop with the installation of power and lighting, and the purchase of a £50 air compressor from Lidl.
Monkey Island
Just came across this nice little drawing
Maid of the Loch visit
Some of the SS Explorer crew visit the Maid of the Loch.
Leith market and the fishroom
Today, Andy, Jim and Phil manned our stall at Leith market. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Colin, Emma and our newest member Alexander “Chen” Chenery got on with painting the fishroom. Top coat of the white pretty much complete. Green anti-slip deck painting to do. Duncan in the meantime continued repairs to the lavvy ashore …
SHIP AHOY!!!
Today the society set out its stall at the Ship Ahoy event on board the tall ship Glenlee in Glasgow. Various exhibitors partook including model makers, Skylark IX, Falls of Clyde, Caledonian MacBrayne to name a few. Jim Charlie and I fielded a lot of enquiries. Time will tell if we get any new members …
George Slesser
Today George Slesser took a trip down memory lane visiting the Explorer. George served on Explorer as a scientist and he is pictured here in the lab and in the cabin he occupied.
A couple of newspaper articles……
…….one old and one not so old. Courtesy John Dunn.
The Granton Hub
Folks from the Granton Hub which we visited two weeks ago having a wee neb at the stokehold.
Fishroom refurb.
Charlie Blyth and Colin Williamson finished undercoating the fishroom today while Duncan topped up the daily use tank and manufactured a wheelkey.
William Speirs Bruce @ the Granton Hub
Tonight Jim Duff and I went along to the Granton Hub where a talk was being given on William Speirs Bruce. A jolly good talk about a Scottish explorer of whom few people have heard. We took our publicity display and received a lot of interest with a dozen people signed up to visit the …
Menzies & Co. Ltd
A piece of stationery was discovered today hiding in a telephone and being used as insulation. A bit of Leith history. Menzies and Co. was a very old Shipbuilding business in Leith which was bought by Henry Robb Ltd. in 1963. In other news, Jim and Duncan fitted a new tarpaulin over the funnel to …
A busy day on the SS Explorer
Duncan and Jim working on making the monkey island waterproof. In the meantime I serviced the AC generator engine. After that worked on getting some undercoat on the fishroom.
Grimsby Telegraph
Another mention. Thanks to Phil Harley.
In further news, the monkey island.
We have long been aware that the money island leaks. It is an aluminium deck partially clad with wooden decking. The wood is rotten in places and corrosion in the aluminium is allowing water in. After the recent heavy snow followed by the diluvian downpour on Saturday, the ingress of water was seen to be …
Sir Andrew Cubie
We are delighted and honoured to announce that Sir Andrew Cubie CBE has agreed to become a Patron of the SS Explorer Preservation Society. The list of Andrew’s past achievements and positions is too long to list here so I will ask the Scottish Cancer Foundation to help out. Sir Andrew Cubie CBE Welcome aboard …
Key Cupboard
Located in the captain’s cabin, this key cupboard has no longer any keys to store.
The Radar
The original radar equipment as fitted to the Explorer when new is long gone having been updated probably more than once during her long career. Phil Harley has done some research for us and he believes that the Marconi Mk IV equipment shown was the original fit.
The Fishroom.
In a trawler as opposed to a research vessel the fishroom would take up much of the fore part of the ship and would be filled with ice and hopefully with fish at the end of a voyage. Explorer has two fishrooms, the port one is accessible only from the deck and is equipped with …
PPE needle gunning.
Andy and I needle gunning rust and paint from the fish room. It is intended that this space will become a workshop and storeroom. PPE or what?
Explorer features in The Grimsby Telegraph
[pdf-embedder url=”https://ssexplorer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Bygones.pdf”]
Going, going, gone.
Some photos by Andy of me disappearing down a hole to take some photos. Going. Still going. Aye going yet. Are we there yet? Just round the next corner. Gone.
Why Steam? Further to my last, an update courtesy of John Dunn
Why Steam? The Explorer was powered by steam , because her operational requirements were more easily met by the use of steam. Yes diesel electric and straight diesel were around when she was being built, but neither could compete when it came to noise and vibration. A research vessel then as now has to be …
Why Steam? Further to my last, an update courtesy of John Dunn Read More »
Why Steam?
Why was the Explorer powered by a triple expansion steam engine when contemporary trawlers were being powered by diesel engines? This is a question which has vexed us here at the SSEPS for years. A couple of bits of information have revealed themselves over the past few days which give rise to a theory. First …
Herring Larval Surveys on Explorer by John Dunn
Herring larval surveys on Explorer One of the jobs which the Explorer did regularly throughout her service career were surveys in the North Sea and up and down the West Coast trying to determine the potential density of herring. It is almost impossible to overstate how important the herring was and indeed still is to …
SSEPS Invades Aberdeen
As told by Jim Duff. A bit out of date but interesting if you like ships. To see the blog properly, click the pop out icon at the top right. [gview file=”https://ssexplorer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SS-Explorer-Preservation-Society.docx”]
A Busy Day on Explorer.
First job of the day was Jim preparing sandwiches for our distinguished visitors. Muggins here spent a couple of hours removing corrosion from the smokebox prior to carrying out a boiler survey on Tuesday. Going by the condition of the smokebox, it doesn’t look good, but I shall dive inside on Tuesday armed with a …
⚓️⚓️⚓️Nancy Glen⚓️⚓️⚓️
The crew of the SS Explorer would like to extend our thoughts and sympathy to the friends and relatives of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk who are missing after the Tarbert fishing vessel Nancy Glen foundered in Loch Fyne on Thursday 18th January.
George Wood
Yesterday we welcomed George Wood who came all the way from Aberdeen by bus to visit the Explorer. His father was a Chief Engineer on-board. George tells us that when the ship was doing research on currents and tides the Explorer used to deploy buoys with tags on them. When they were subsequently gathered in …
Edinburgh Dock Then And Now And The Future.
For around twenty years, the Edinburgh Dock in The Port Of Leith has been home to the SS Explorer. I suspect none of the volunteers on the SS Explorer realise how much the dock has changed over the years. I certainly didn’t. One of the potential plans for a permanent berth for Explorer was the …
Ve Haf Ze Plans!
Ship’s plans and drawings have been uploaded for the delectation of geeks and engineers and geeky engineers. Plans and Drawings
A Net Drag Formula for Pelagic Nets
I came across this document during a trawl (gerrit?) of the internet for FRV Explorer stories. It describes one aspect of Explorer’s (And FRVs Clupea and Mara) research and although it contains some hard sums, there are also some pretty drawings. Enjoy. A Net Drag Formula for Pelagic Nets
Tuesday 9th January 2018
Some cleaning and water damage repairs were carried out today but the main task was to clear the starboard fish room with a view to descaling and painting in the hope of converting into a workshop/storage area. It had developed into a bit of a dumping area for all sorts of rubbish. Some large pieces …
Radio Room Clock
By Jim Duff [docxpresso file=”https://ssexplorer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Radio-Room-Clock.odt” comments=”true”]
Diesel Transfer Pump
Topping up the diesel daily use tank was a laborious task involving 20 minutes on a semi rotary hand pump. Andy, our illustrious chairman was undertaking this task today when he noticed this. And this. So we fired up the harbour generator, opened the appropriate valves and gave it a go. And it worked! 20 …
Gales.
Popped down to check the moorings given 50kt gusts off the berth. All secure. ?
Contemporary photo album and complete and utter nerd album added.
Contemporary photos Nerd album
In Service Photo Gallery
I have finally got round to making a photo gallery. This is the first one of “In Service” photos. More will hopefully follow when I get enthused. Click here to see.
Festive frolics
Festive buffet on the SS Explorer today courtesy of Jim Duff. Sorry to have missed this alcohol fuelled extravaganza. ???
Explorer’s successor.
Our own John Dunn narrates this short documentary about the FRV Scotia’s, one of Explorer’s successors role in marine research.
Leith Market
Team Brass Monkeys pushing the cause of the SS Explorer in Leith Market.
SS Explorer. Spying for Her Majesty’s Navy?
It would seem that our venerable old lady was used to spy on the Russian navy in her day. Commander John Ian Steven Obituary We have it on good authority that signals intelligence was her primary role. The 007 of the Northern Seas.
Explorer, The Spy Trawler!
It would seem that our venerable old lady was used to spy on the Russian navy in her day. Commander John Ian Steven Obituary We have it on good authority that signals intelligence was her primary role. The 007 of the Northern Seas.
Skiving
Jim and Maggie busy cleaning the labs today. I laid a bit more anti slip netting before skiving off for a tour of the Apache II pipe-laying vessel, one of our neighbours. I think Explorer could pretty much fit in Apache’s navigating bridge. After that back to help Charlie fit a lamp in …
Liberation of stores.
Liberated various items from the Vos Raasay and the Vos Islay which are being broken up in Leith Docks. Various light fittings, cleaning chemicals, lifebuoys and sundry other items. Thanks to Dale marine for allowing us to scrounge.
Ten volunteers today!
Must be close to a record with ten volunteers on the SS Explorer today. A fair bit of cabin cleaning achieved today. Also the port side ladder to the boat deck was welded on with our new welding machine. The ladder has been awaiting this for more than two years! At …
New link
A link has been added to the bottom of this page to give a flavour of life on a contemporaneous Granton trawler. Check it out and thank your god that you don’t have to live that life.
The Carpeted saloon.
Today we had a new carpet laid in the saloon which is now looking very plush.
The Computer
Check out a new page with an article from the Press and Journal about the computer. The Computer
Salvesen
Some photos of a recent visit to the SS Explorer by a group of retired Salvesen mariners.
Apache II
After hosting a visit on Explorer by crew members of the pipe laying vessel Apache II, they responded in kind by hosting a tour of their vessel.
Another concrete repair.
Jim proudly surveys his concrete handywork as the battle against water leakage continues.
Several layers of carpet……
…..removed from the saloon pending laying of a nice new one.
One of our highly skilled technicians…….?
……overhauling the starting air valve for the harbour generator.
Poppy
A wee poppy on the dockside. Also Explorer moved a metre north to keep new gangway clear of the Armco barriers.
More cement.
Another cement box over perforated boat deck deck. 99% of water ingress now stopped ?
SS Explorer nearly meets her end!
Courtesy Rob Newman. Thanks to Chris Claydon.
Gangwaaaay
Gangway to the boat deck kindly donated by the guys at Forth Ports.
Check out…..
…the story of the SS Explorer on our media page.
Cement box complete
Civil engineering on boat deck complete. Hoping for reduced ingress of rain water.
Corrody leak water.
After much searching we believe that water leakage into the mess room and engine room is largely originating from the corroded base of this ventilator. So in accordance with merchant navy tradition it will be repaired temporarily with a cement box. Photographed is Jim’s shutter joinery skills.
A productive day’s planning.
A couple of DC lights in our rapidly improving saloon were not working so fuses found blown along with a couple of lamps. One dark lamp remaining to fix. One of the pieces of Explorer’s history which we thought we lacked photos of were the lay-up years in the Cromarty Firth. Today we noticed this …
Explorer’s replacement
A drawing of the proposed replacement of the FRV Explorer surfaced on board the old girl today.
AGM
A modest turn out for the society’s Annual General Meeting. Attending were: front row left to right Charlie Blyth, Bob Harley, Andy Marjoribanks, Colin Williamson, Derek Learmont. Back row, Alan Hush, Jim Duff, Cron Mackay, Simon Sawers, Brian Murdoch, Alastair Goodman, Emma Fraser and Bill Fallon.
Castle Fraser Steam Fair and Portsoy Boat Festival
The Society had a presence at both these events over two weekends raising the profile and a wee bit of money.
Bon Accord Steam Rally
Caravan all packed up for the trip to Castle Fraser tomorrow. First thing in the morning I’ll be picking up the newly designed posters and fliers that have been designed by Deborah Mullen DEBORAH-MULLEN.COM Meeting up with Brian on Saturday to man the Explorer stand and hopefully attract some followers and sponsors. Weather’s …
Sealing the leaks
A busy day on the Explorer. Ingress from the storm last week had brought the bilge levels up. So two of our pumps were rigged in series to take the bilge water to a slop tank. Charlie made progress on the mate’s cabin deck light. And a major leak was attended to …
Water damage.
A quiet Saturday on the Explorer. Mooring lines a bit slack so tensioned up. Inspection of the ship after this revealed serious water ingress from the recent rain into the mate’s cabin through the decklight. The decklight has been removed along with the rotten wood in it’s cofferdam. Covered up but fairly urgent …
Niagra on board
All that rain on Tuesday (60mm+) revealed a few leaks in the superstructure – one behind the Ruston powered harbour generator sounded like Niagra – even above the noise of the generator. Andy found a scuppers drain pipe that was blocked and another that seemed to have a completely burst pipe. The first was cleared …
A shorter gap
A bit of time has passed since the last blog but things are progressing. The AC generator has been problematic with AVR issues eventually solved and then a persistent over speeding issue which is hopefully now solved. A lot of internal cosmetic work has been carried out by various members, including repairing the mess room …
A long blog gap
Most of the decklights have been refurbished and refitted making the ship a bit more weatherproof. AC generator has been behaving itself over the last four weeks so fingers crossed it is now reliable. It was also recently serviced. Work is in progress to get the saloon up to standard with various bits of joinery …
Ongoing maintenance
Dog repairs continue. New surplus vent trunking on deck dismantled to make tidy. Galley cooker work continues. Two floodlights installed in ER. Further work to do. Fire detector fitted at ER entrance. Further detector to be installed above AC gen. Fire extinguishers restowed in accordance with advice received.
Orelia
Our thanks to Technip and the crew of the MV Orelia. Orelia is currently de-equipping in Leith prior to her last voyage to be dismantled. The Company and the Chief Engineer have been kind enough to allow the SS Explorer to repurpose and recycle some of their stores. Among other things, our engine room will …
Away day
Director’s “Away Day” Whiteboards and scones and resolving the life of SS Explorer.
Aft peak
Hatch dogs and galley work progress. After peak tank drained and inspected.
Trim
Port fresh water tank partially filled to improve list and trim of vessel. Ballast tank vented and inspected. Galley floor cooker base screeded. Still to complete. Work on tidying quayside continues. Work on hatch dogs continues.
Forepeak
Forepeak ventilated and inspected. Approx 100kg of debris (corrosion and cement) removed. Tank filled with fresh water. Work started on securing hatch dogs.
Alternator room
Alternator room bilges dried out and various wet packaging and debris removed. FW tank bulkheads at fore end in poor condition.
