STEAM TUG CHALLENGE BACK AT SEA AT LAST!

After years of effort by what has become known as the “Shoreham Crew” the refit of Steam Tug Challenge was finally completed in time for the Dunkirk veteran to be one of the star attractions at the May Day Southampton Maritime Festival.

The theme of the festival was the Second World War (Read More) 

and Challenge took pride of place ahead of a flotilla of other Dunkirk Little Ships. Most of the team are now making regular visits to Southampton, where she is in temporary dock, to ensure she is maintained in “proper” condition.
January saw the completion of the new deck in the boiler room and because the specially designed Byworth boiler is smaller than the original one and there is a compact rear smoke box considerably more space has been created making the room easier to work in. At the same time work continued on the time consuming and vital task of shimming and refitting the refurbished white metal bearings to the main engine crankshaft.
By mid April the culmination of the gargantuan effort that all the volunteers put into the overhaul of the Challenge came to a head when the boiler was lit and tested to full pressure. It went without a hitch. Against a clear blue sky steam could be seen bellowing out as the safety valves lifted to bang on the correct pressure.
Shortly ST Challenge will make her way around the coast where she is sure to be centre of attention at the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival which is being held on 7th and 8th September. From there she is going straight on to the London Mayor’s Thames Festival in St Catherine’s Dock, 10th to 15th September.

For full details call 01535 665225 or visit www.byworth.co.uk