Technical Specifications
Type: Fresh-Class Steam Water Tanker
Builder: Lytham Shipbuilding & Engineering Co.
Year Built: 1946
Technical Highlights
SS Freshspring has a fully riveted steel hull and a traditional timber wheelhouse, exactly as she was completed in 1947. Her original boiler, triple-expansion engine and all steam auxiliaries remain in place—machinery designs that first appeared around the turn of the 20th century. Built to carry 236 tons of fresh water for Royal Navy warships, she retains her original internal arrangement: the deck crew’s quarters forward, and the captain’s cabin immediately below the wheelhouse; the galley sits on the aft deck, while lavatory and shower facilities occupy the forepeak. This unaltered layout and intact machinery underline her extreme value as a historic maritime exhibit.
| Tonnage: 283 GRT | Cargo: Up to 236 tons of fresh water | Propulsion: Single triple-expansion steam engine (450 ihp) |
| Length: 121 ft | Beam: 24.5 ft | Depth: 10.5 ft | Decks & Layout: One continuous deck with midship wheelhouse (now reconstructed), and separate crew quarters fore and aft | Boiler: Scotch return-tube, originally coal-fired, converted to heavy oil in 1956 |
| Max Speed: ~9.5 knots | Auxiliary Systems: Steam-powered fire pump, salvage pump, and freshwater condenser |
Cargo Capacity:
Fresh Water Tanks:
- Forward Tanks: Two pairs with capacities of 88 tons (89.4 tonnes) and 102 tons (103.6 tonnes) respectively
- Aft Tanks: Two tanks, each holding 46 tons (46.7 tonnes)
- Total Capacity: Approximately 236 tons of fresh water
Deck and Layout:
Decks: One continuous deck
Wheelhouse: Midship wheelhouse (reconstructed)
Crew Accommodation:
Officers' Quarters: Located aft
Crew Quarters: Situated fore and aft
Galley: Positioned above deck aft
Additional Facilities: Lamp room, paint store, showers, and washroom in the forepeak
Propulsion:
- Engine: Single triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine
- Stroke: 21 inches (0.53 metres)
- Cylinders: Diameters of 11 inches (0.28 metres), 18 inches (0.46 metres), and 30 inches (0.76 metres)
- Indicated Horsepower: 450 IHP (335.6 kW) at 170 RPM
- Propeller: Cast iron, 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 metres) in diameter
- Maximum Speed: Approximately 9.5 knots
Boiler:
Type: Single Scotch return-tube boiler
Dimensions: 13 feet (4 metres) in diameter, 10 feet (3 metres) in length
Furnaces: Three
Working Pressure: 180 psi (12.4 bar)
Fuel: Originally coal-fired; converted to heavy fuel oil in 1956
Fuel Consumption: Approximately 4 tons of coal per 24 hours before conversion
Air Supply: Preheated air assisted by a Sisson-powered centrifugal fan
Auxiliary Systems:
- Steering: Steam-powered steering engine by Donkin & Co. Ltd.
- Control System: Rod-and-chain mechanism linking the steering engine to the rudder
Pumps - Fire and Salvage Pump: Centrifugal pump by E.N. Macklay & Co.
- Boiler Feed Pump: 2-inch (0.05 metres) pump by Dawson and Downie
- Bilge and Ballast Pump: 2-inch (0.05 metres) pump by Dawson and Downie
- Main Cargo Pump: Reciprocating pump by Dawson Downie with a capacity of 900 gallons (4,091 litres) per hour
- Electric Generator: Robey-powered 10 kW 110-volt DC generator by Clarke Chapman
- Condenser Circulating Pump: Centrifugal pump by Drysdale of Glasgow
- Forced Draft Fan: By W. Sisson & Co. Ltd., 3.5-inch (0.09 metres) by 2.5-inch (0.06 metres) stroke turning a 26.5-inch (0.67 metres) fan
- Windlass: Twin-cylinder unit by Gemmell and Frow Ltd.
Notable Features:
- Steam-powered steering with rod-and-chain rudder control
- Original navigation aids
- All of the original machinery remains intact, offering an authentic glimpse into 1940s steamship design
These specifications highlight the robust engineering and thoughtful design of SS Freshspring, reflect her historical significance and the advanced maritime technology of her time, and underscore that her machinery design predates the turn of the 20th century.
