Knowing that plenty of work on the outside of the hull will be needed, including a complete bottom re-paint, negotiations for a further spell on the slipway commence. Lawrie Beal starts measuring up for a set of blocks to raise the ship higher off the slipway to give better access.
On 23rd October Harry Brockbank from Exmouth visited. An expert on interior decoration, he subsequently made weekend visits to work on preparation and painting of the interior, spending the night aboard. Parties from Wildernesse School continued their attendance on several occasions and worked on numerous cleaning and painting and under the overall supervision of Colin Harrison.
In the engine room, work steadily progressed on the engine and boiler, with the various boiler fittings being removed for checking and overhaul, and generally prepare the boiler for a steam test.
Saturday 11th December was break up party day, enjoyed by more than 30 people in the forward saloon.
Restoration Log Book – Saturday 11 December 1976
An enclosure reveals Colin Harrison’s organisation:
- 3.45 – Hunt the Xmas tree
- 4.15 – Tea
- 5.00 – Quiz
- 5.15 – KC game
- 5.30 – Film ‘The Feathered Wheel’
- 5.45 – Lawrie’s Larks
- 5.55 – School choir
- 6.00 – Carols on deck
- 6.15 – Final warm up
- 7.00 – That’s it folks