About The Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society
The Steam Tug Kerne has been in preservation by the same voluntary group since 1971, they set up the North Western Steamship Company Ltd., and later The Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society Ltd. In 2008, in order to promote the preservation and maintenance of this historic vessel, the society became a registered charity. The company and society maintains and runs the tug to provide a means of education into the history, development and operation of Kerne as a piece of living social history, and to demonstrate the working conditions of crews of early 20th century steamships.
Steam Tug Kerne was built in 1913 and named H.M. Tug Terrier until 1948. She is the last operational coal fired naval steamship from WW1 and due to a dedicated band of enthusiasts, is kept in working condition and regularly steams to public events around the waters of the North West of England. When not attending an event or out on a cruise, Kerne can often be found berthed at the Maritime Museum in Liverpool’s Canning Dock.
In June 2018, in recognition of the efforts of the preservation group volunteers for over four decades, the Society was honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award is the equivalent of an MBE, and the highest award given to voluntary groups. It is also the first time Her Majesty has honoured an historic vessel preservation group in this way.
In 2021, the ship's engineers of the Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society were awarded National Historic Ships UK's Marsh Volunteer of the Year - Shipshape Project Award, and engineer Chris Heyes was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The volunteers keeping Kerne in shape meet regularly for working parties. You can find more information about how to get involved on their Facebook and the Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society website.
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