RESTORATION

                         


Four boatbuilders have independently surveyed Susan and have given estimates for her restoration.   The Trustees all agreed that the estimate from the St Osyth Boatyard in Essex offered the best value for money.   This boatyard has the best facilities and has an excellent reputation for its work on the restoration of Thames Sailing Barges.   Space is also able to accommodate Susan should there be a need to curtail the restoration work because of a shortage of funds.

The estimate for the complete restoration of Susan is in the region of £100,000 ( Including VAT ).

Susan was towed from Chelmsford to St Osyth on the Blackwater / Colne estuary at the end of May 2010 and is now in the St Osyth Boatyard.

The restoration is being carried out in five stages.

          Stage 1.   Replacement of the main keelson  -  Completed in July 2010.

                          The main keelson has been replaced and this has stabilised the structure of the frame.   All the
                          invoices for Stage 1 have been paid.


          Stage 2.   Replacement of the boards on the bottom of the boat
 
                          This also includes the renewal of the chines and the rebuilding of the propeller tunnel.
                          On completion of Stage 2,  the hull will be watertight and of adequate thickness.   Over 85% of
                          the money required for Stage 2 is available


          Stage 3.   Replacement of the sub-keelsons.


          Stage 4.   Repair of gunwales and superstructure.


          Stage 5.   Design and construction of cover.

                          The cover will be designed to be easily removable and will protect Susan when not in use and
                          will also be used to house displays on the history of Susan and of the Navigation.


The total money raised for the restoration of Susan currently stands at £66,000.   Chelmsford Borough Council gave a grant of £25,000 to begin the fund raising and Essex County Council gave two grants totaling £14,500 from the Community Initiatives Fund.   The Essex Heritage Trust gave a grant of £3,000 and The Augustine Courtauld Trust a grant of £500.   The National Historic Ships Committee gave a grant of £1,000.   The Chelmsford Branch of the Inland Waterways Association gave a donation of £5,000 and the Chelmer Canal Trust also gave a donation of £5,000.   Other donations have been received from the Chelmsford Society,  Blackwater Boats,  The Boaters of Sandford Lock and Sir Alastair Stewart.   The Susan Trust has raised over £12,000 from donations and collections but of this has spent over £4,000 to pay for insurance of the boat,  timber conservation work,  printing and trustee training.

Chelmsford Borough Council provide a secure berth and mooring for Susan at their Industrial Museum and Science Education Centre at Sandford Mill.   This is provided completely free of charge.

On completion of the restoration,  The Susan Trust will apply for a public passenger license to enable Susan to give trips on the Navigation and thus provide funds for her future maintenance.   A historic lighter on a 200 year old Navigation in a conservation area must surely be a tourist attraction.

GRANTS  RECEIVED  FROM

                                                         Chelmsford Borough Council


                                                          Essex County Council


                                                                  Essex Heritage Trust

                                                                  Augustine Courtauld Trust


                                                                   National Historic Ships


DONATIONS  RECEIVED  FROM


                                                                   Inland Waterways Association  ( Chelmsford Branch )



                                                                  Chelmer Canal Trust



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

                                                   Essex Waterways Limited            for assistance in towing Susan from Sandford Mill
                                                                                                       to Heybridge Basin.


                                                   Chandler Material Supplies Ltd   for assistance.


                                                   Sir Alastair Stewart                      for the donation of a number of seasoned oak
                                                                                                       planks which will be used for the rebuilding of the
                                                                                                       propeller tunnel and some of the superstructure.