Bristol Channel

Between 1940 and 1946, fourteen steam-powered Fresh-class water tankers were built for the Admiralty by Lytham Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. They were intended to carry fresh water to warships at dockyars and naval anchorages, and also had a limited fire-fighting and salvage capability. FRESHSPRING was the last of the class to be built, launched 15 August 1946, and completed 10 February 1947. Her enginers were manufactured by builders. She became the sole survivor of her class.

FRESHSPRING was based at Malta in the 1950s and early 1960s, and then returned to the UK to operate on the Clyde and the west coast of Scotland for the Port Auxiliary Service. She was converted from coal to oil fuel in 1961. Surveyed and refitted at Ardrossan in 1969, she was then towed to Gareloch where she remained, presumably ‘mothballed’, until being offered for sale in 1977. FRESHSPRING was sold on 4 July 1979 to a private owner, who towed her to Bristol, where she was adapted for the experimental use of alternative fuels to power ships' engines. Some time later, she was laid up at Newnham on Severn, Gloucester, and her condition deteriorated, but more recently, since 2007, she has been undergoing restoration for youth, educational and pleasure uses.

Source: Paul Brown, Historic Ships The Survivors (Amberley, 2010), updated Mar 2011.

August 2011
Ongoing existence of vessel is in question unless emergency repairs are put in place. Condition deteriorating while vessel is lying on the banks of the Severn at Newnham. Over recent months, two holes have appeared in her hull and the plating has now become very pitted. Machinery is in excellent condition - engine room, steam steering gear and accommodation areas are intact, although gallery and officers' quarters have been dismantled. Any funding routes, interest or proposal for preserving her would be gratefully received.

Please see National Historic Ships news item: http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/news.php/254/funding-support-for-ss-freshspring

Source: Freshspring Preservation Society.

1. 1946 - Builder: Lytham Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.
2. 1947 - Function: Water Carrier

• Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles - 1994
• International Register of Historic Ships - Brouwer, Norman J - 1993
• Lost Ships of the West Country - Langley, M and Small, E - 1988
• Freshspring - Last of her Class (WSS Small Craft Group Journal) - Snowdon, D - 2000
• Fresh class water carriers (WSS Small Craft Group Journal) - Snowdon, D - 2000