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Old 26th October 2017, 11:39
Lucy Knight England Lucy Knight is offline
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Plymouth Devon
Posts: 116
Here is the script for Tues 24rh Oct 2017 article W. M. News. The article will not be going on line but the paper kindly sent me the pdf file which has some great photos, external and internal, of the ship. Article and photos take up two full pages of newspaper. Article by Roger Malone.

Text

Full steam ahead in preserving unique ship

Purchased for ƒ1 and saved from demolition, the water carrier SS Freshspring is undergoing a lengthy restoration project in North Devon. It was launched in 1946 as a steamship but was converted to oil firing in 1956. One of 14 ordered by the Admiralty, and the final one built, it is the sole survivor of the Fresh Class . designed to replenish warships with fresh water. After an interesting career Freshspring was eventually laid up in Gairloch and put up for sale in 1977. Sold to a private owner, it was towed initially to Bristol, then to Newnham on Severn where it remained gradually rusting away for 20 ye a r s. However a change of fortune came Roger Malone finds out about an exciting project to bring a preserved water carrier back to pristine condition WMN-E01-S2 Bright future for SS Freshspring Main Picture: SS Freshspring being towed past Appledore towards Bideford. Left to right: The vessel as seen when bought for ƒ1; SS Freshspring at sea in her working life; the engine room; the first stage of restoration in dry dock before moving to Bideford Images courtesy of John Puddy with a visit by John Puddy who set about raising interest in saving the s h i p. As a result The Freshspring Society was formed .and John purchased the ship for ƒ1 in 2013. The charity received much good will and corporation from individuals and organisations keen to see the vessel saved .including an award of ƒ155,000 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Initial work was carried out in a dry dock, and the vessel was towed to her new home in Bideford in 2016. John says the primary aim of the Steamship Freshspring Society is to preserve, reconstruct and operate the historic SS Freshspring, for the education and benefit of the public. The long-standing maritime history of Bideford makes the town an ideal place to base the vessel, says Jo h n . 6The long-term vision for Freshspring is to use her to provide a public academic and practical educational resource,7he says. To ensure financial sustainability, the society aims to operate coastal cruising trips, visiting a range of locations and letting the general public and school groups aboard for educational visits. A somewhat antiquated type, the 121ft-long Fresh Class vessels were based on deep sea trawlers, with holds converted to carry water. They could carry 236 tons of fresh water for delivery to warships at dockyards and naval anchorages. After trials in February 1947, SS Freshspring sailed to her long term base in Malta. Initially coal fired she was converted to run on heavy fuel oil in 1956 whilst in Malta with three burners, one in each of the coal furnaces. In Malta she carried out duties supplying boiler and potable water to warships and civilian vessels . and also acted as a fire and salvage ve s s e l . SS Freshspring returned to the UK in 1967 to replace a sister ship, Freshpond, at Devonport. Prior to being put into reserve at Gairloch, she also worked in and around the Clyde and Pembroke Docks, and was surveyed and refitted at Ardrossan in 1969. If you have any pictures, stories or other information about Freshspring or other vessels of the Fresh Class the society would be delighted to hear from you. Volunteers are always welcome and contribute to ongoing restoration work. There is a great variety of tasks, no matter what your ability, both ashore and onboard.

For more information visit: w w w. s s f r e s h s p r i n g . c o . u k

Last edited by Lucy Knight; 26th October 2017 at 20:07.
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