Wednesday Aboard SS Freshspring – Sunshine, Hard Work, and Great Progress

While the sun shone down on Bideford Quay, conditions on the ship were warm to say the least — especially in the stern workshop, which felt more like a sauna! But that didn’t stop excellent progress being made on a range of key restoration tasks.

Deck Painting and Varnishing

Dave J took on the challenge of painting the upper deck and did a fantastic job, especially given the heat. Impressively, he managed to get the paint on the surface before it started setting in the tin — no small feat in those temperatures!

Over at the wheelhouse, Pete G and Pete H worked hard applying varnish. It was so warm during their efforts that Pete G ended up removing both his jumper and overalls just to stay cool. Their commitment is helping preserve the woodwork and keep the wheelhouse looking its best.

Restoration Work Below Deck

Meanwhile, Richard and Mike were down in the engine room working on one of the engine room doors. Armed with the newly repaired nail descaler tool — and wearing Mike’s Freshspring cap and overalls — they made quick work of clearing rust in preparation for fitting new door seals. The descaler certainly did its job — even if it deafened everyone in the vicinity!

One major achievement was freeing off the hinge adjusters on the door, which likely hadn’t been touched for more than 50 years. This small but significant step allows for proper fitting and alignment as we move forward with the restoration.

Support and Supplies

John P arrived with two important deliveries — some metal strips to hold the new seals in place and a fresh tank of water to replenish the ship’s water supply. With these in hand, we’re now ready to begin the next phase of sealing the engine room doors.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As always, none of this would be possible without the dedication, energy, and skill of our incredible volunteer team. Whether painting in the sun, sanding and varnishing, or battling rust in the engine room, their efforts are helping to ensure SS Freshspring continues her journey as a living piece of maritime history.

If you're interested in volunteering, supporting the charity, or visiting SS Freshspring, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we’re keeping heritage alive!

Special thanks to Richard Slack for this update