A Steamship Experience

2nd May

Running From: - 12:00 PM

Cross River Job – Sandon Dock, Liverpool – Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead.                                            Friday 2nd May 2025  1200 hrs – 1700 hrs.

THE CROSS RIVER JOB - Named after a certain “shifting” job where large ships, requiring up to three tugboats to assist, would part discharge in Liverpool and then, usually at night to allow unbroken cargo working in the day, would sail from Liverpool over to another discharge berth in Birkenhead.  Always a lengthy and tricky job!

As there is no public access allowed onto the secure dock area, Vintage buses will collect you from the coach layover bay on Salthouse Quay in Royal Albert Dock at 1115 hrs  and take you to the Danny at our winter maintenance berth at Sandon Dock, Liverpool from where this cruise will depart. We will head North for a tour of the Liverpool Dock System, hopefully seeing plenty of shipping at a variety of berths. We will lock out of either Gladstone or Langton lock, and take a river tour, as far south as Tranmere and Cammell Laird's Shipyard if timings allow.  We will lock into the Birkenhead Dock System via Alfred Lock, and head up the “Great Float” through the East Float, past the former mills, now converted to housing, while seeing remnants of the shipping lines of yesteryear that made Birkenhead Docks such a busy and vibrant place. We will pass through Duke Street bridge and into the West Float, passing the former “Rea Wharf” and “Cavendish Quay”, “Gillbrook” Basin and the remains of the many dry docks as we head towards Bidston.  At the top of the West Float - now unable to enter Bidston dock since it was filled in - we turn, head East and make our way back to Vittoria Dock, the former home of the famous Blue Funnel Line amongst many others.  Again, as there is no public access allowed on the quayside, the Vintage Buses, will drop you off at either Hamilton Square Station or Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool. Please select your option at the time of booking.  You will receive complimentary tea or coffee on arrival and a bowl of our Danny Scouse for lunch – a vegetarian option is available so please advise at the time of booking.  Real Ale on draught will also be available on this cruise!

3rd May

Running From: - 13:00 PM

THE CHESHIRE SHEAF - Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead to Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge                                   Saturday 3rd May 2025  1300 hrs – 1800 hrs.

THE CHESHIRE SHEAF. Named after a typical barge run from yesteryear, when small river barges would load wheat from the mills in Birkenhead and transport it to the mill at Frodsham.  Birkenhead, in those days, was in Cheshire.  This name was also used for a 1968 Wirral Railway Circle Tour, taking in Chester and Helsby amongst other places, using a two car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit). Was anyone on that trip?

As there is no public access or parking at Birkenhead Vittoria Dock, we are running a Park & Ride from a car park near our destination berth in Sutton Weaver, so your car will be waiting for you at the end of the cruise. Alternativley, if you prefer to make your own way to The Danny, we can collect you from outside Hamilton Square Station to take you to the quayside, but please remember there is no transport back to Birkenhead at the end of the cruise.  Full details will be in your booking confirmation email.  Having arrived at The Danny by coach, we will start by heading up the Great Float through the East Float, past the former mills - now converted to housing - while seeing remnants of the shipping lines of yesteryear that made Birkenhead docks one of the busiest in the world at one time. We’ll pass through Duke Street bridge and into the West Float, passing the former Reas Wharf and Cavendish Quay, Gillbrook Basin and the remains of the many dry docks as we head towards Bidston.  We can no longer enter Bidston Dock as it has been filled in, so we will turn at the top of the West Float and eventually return to Alfred Lock.  We will then enter the river and depending on time, will tour the river before heading up to Eastham and entering the Manchester Ship Canal having passed many famous landmarks in the River Mersey including the world-famous Pier Head, Cammell Laird shipyard, Tranmere Oil Terminal and, hopefully, a few ships on the way. We will leave the River Mersey through the Eastham Lock system and spend a couple of hours on the Manchester Ship Canal before we turn off and join the Weaver Navigation at Marsh Lock and sail to our berth just below Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge.  You will receive complimentary tea or coffee on arrival and a bowl of our Danny Scouse for lunch – a vegetarian option is available so please advise at the time of booking.  Real Ale on draught will also be available on this cruise!

4th May

Running From: - 11:00 AM

SUTTON WEAVER SWING BRIDGE - ACTON BRIDGE 4TH MAY 2025,  1100 - 1330 HRS.

We start our cruise at 1100 hrs and pass through the Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge before winding our way through some of the river's most stunning scenery as we head for Dutton Locks.  The final leg is to Acton Bridge, which dates from 1930’s and although of impressive size, the bridge swings with just the use of a few horsepower due to its weight being borne by a floating pontoon.  We will not be sailing through this bridge however as this is the finishing point for our journey.  More information on this cruise can be found here There will also be Real Ale on draught on this cruise!

As there is no public parking at Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge, we operate a Park & Ride coach to both take you to the Danny and return you to your car at the end of your cruise.  Please park in the Anderton Boat Lift car park (CW9 6FW) where our coach will collect you at 1015 hrs.  Our Stewards will be there to meet you and assist you with boarding the coach. 

Parking charges apply at Anderton Boat Lift.

Please be aware that if you make your own arrangements to be dropped off at Sutton Weaver you will also need to make arrangements to be collected from Acton Bridge at the end of the cruise, as our coach will only be returning passengers to their vehicles at Anderton Boat Lift.