Name Kerne

1.      What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

KERNE was built in 1912 by the Montrose Shipbuilding Company. Her hull was constructed using 7/20 to 10/20 inch steel and she had a 3-bladed steel propeller with a diameter of 7 feet 10 inches. Steering was by means of chain and rod. In January 1913 she was fitted with a three cylinder, triple expansion, double acting Ligerwood engine and a ‘Scotch’ boiler with two furnaces. She was re-boilered in 1935 with a new boiler built to original drawings.  KERNE retains her original engine and 1935 boiler which continue to be maintained in full working order today. She has a coal bunker with a capacity of 12 tons, and carries 12 tons of water in her boiler, and a further 7 tons in reserve in an aft peak tank. In 1948 she still had her original 17 foot counter-balanced folding funnel and open wheelhouse, but during 1949 she was modified with a non-folding funnel of increased height, an enclosed wheelhouse, and a new mast. Wash ports were cut in the aft bulwarks, and a small whaleback compartment on the deck housed the toilet. She continued operating in this configuration for the next 22 years, until 1971, as she towed barges in the Mersey region. Since then, regular repairs and replacements have been carried out including an ultrasonic survey in 2009.  In 2011, the propeller shaft was overhauled and the bearings replaced.  A new generator was fitted in 2013 and essential repairs to her hull under the boiler were carried out in 2014.  Despite these remedial works, KERNE has retained a large part of her original hull and superstructure.

2.      What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

KERNE was originally named VIKING by her builders, but whilst under construction in 1913 she was bought by the Admiralty as part of the general build-up of maritime power prior to the First World War. She was renamed HMT TERRIER and went into immediate service undertaking general dockyard duties at Chatham dockyard where she continued to work for 35 years giving her a strong association with this area.  In 1948 ownership passed to Messrs J.P. Knight Ltd. of London, whose tugs all had names beginning with the letter ‘K’ and re-named KERNE.  A year later, she was bought by the Straits Steamship Company Ltd. of Liverpool and operated on the River Mersey, the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver for the next 22 years, towing barges. Since her working life ended, KERNE has made voyages to the Isle of Man, North Wales and Port Madoc, and continues to cruise on the River Weaver and Ship Canal systems. She has taken part in four films, and in 1990 was awarded the Steam Heritage Award-Marine Section. She was also selected to participate in the Royal Review of Ships in the Mersey during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee of 1977.  KERNE was built as a humble Admiralty tug, but is now a rare survivor from the First World War era, being the last surviving steam harbour/river tug still operational and driven by her original machinery. She has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels since 2005 and is part of the National Historic Fleet.

3.      How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

KERNE has the characteristic appearance of an early 20th century steam vessel, with the low freeboard, large stoke-hold ventilators and tall funnel which were typical of harbour tugs of the time.  Her funnel is painted in the distinctive black with blue and white bands which marked the Liverpool Lighterage Company.  Her lines, dimensions and shape made her fit for purpose in her role as an estuarial/dock tug. The strong connections with the Merseyside region forged during the second part of KERNE’s working life remain in place today as she continues to operate in full steaming condition from the Merseyside Maritime Museum at Liverpool or the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port.

Source: NHS-UK team, 02 April 2016. 

This statement was developed as part of the Heritage Lottery funded First World War project. http://www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk/