Grants given to restore historic ship

[Lucy Knight]

The project to restore North Devon-based SS Freshspring, a rare historic steamship,has taken another major step forward with a £61,000 National Lottery grant. Built in 1946, SS Freshspring was the last of 14 Fresh Class water carriers –and is recognised as being of national historical significance on the National Register of Historic vessels. The latest grant, awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, comes less than 18 months after a £155,000 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. That enabled the ship to be transported from Newnham on Severn and be berthed in Bideford. The vessel was rescued from an uncertain fate and purchased for £1 by John Puddy in 2013 on behalf of The Steamship Freshspring Society. This latest award willfunda two-year programme. This includes works required to open the ship to the public as a heritage attraction. The grant also includes funding to employ an Education and Project Officer. John Puddy, trust chair said: “This is a huge step forward for the trust. “The National Lottery grant was substantially matched in Devon by Torridge District Council, Bideford Bridge Trust and The Balsdon Trust, demonstrating very considerable local support. “In addition matchfunds have been awarded by The Headley Trust along with individual Trust Membership support.” In the meantime, proposals to present her afloat in Bideford as a static heritage ex SS Freshspring alongside at Bideford quay. More money has been awarded for her restoration which means she will be the only vessel of her type and age accessible to the general public. John says SS Freshspring’s hull and super structure are substantially intact, while her steam engines are in outstanding condition due to the care given to them over time. “With her pre-Second World War configuration, her form reflects the type of general cargo vessel that was the workhorse of the British and the world’s mercantile fleets from the 1920s to the1950s,”he says. Bringing Freshspring back to operational condition for a sustainable future involves retaining her external form. Her internal water tank spaces will be sympathetically converted makinghertheonly operational vessel of this type. Work is due to start on the restoration of the ship’s bridge, boat deck and access shortly to ensure the ship can be fully open for April 2018. ■ For more information see: www.ssfreshspring.co.uK

[Dartskipper]

John Puddy was involved with the Landmark Trust and was responsible for finding the MV Oldenburg in N.Germany for their services to Lundy Island. I wish him and this new project well.