A man who bought a boat destined for the scrapyard for £1 in 2004 saw its potential and has spent the last 12 years restoring it to its former beauty.
Captain Dan Cross has received a Merchant Navy Medal after his efforts led to the vessel's relaunch in 2016. Since 2016, the award has only been handed to a maximum of 20 seafarers annually by the government for prominent maritime contributions.
The Liverpool mariner received the accolade for spearheading about 100 volunteers in a multi-million pound revamp of SS Daniel Adamson, which first set sail in 1903.
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Captain Cross is among 14 recipients this year, including Master Mariner Ann Pletschke, from Hampshire, who has supported the rights of women and under-privileged individuals in the industry.
The vessel, known as The Daniel Adamson, previously transported cargo, passengers and historical figures, some of which included previous kings of Egypt and Afghanistan, as well as Australian cricketing star, Donald Bradman.
Speaking of the Daniel Adamson, Captain Cross said: "It is often said the ship runs on two things - steam and volunteers - and this reflects what a magnificent team effort the project is."
He purchased it for £1 two days before it was due to be scrapped, after it was vandalised, and secured a £3.6m lottery grant in 2015 to restore the ship.
Captain Cross put together a diverse team of restoration volunteers, some of whom have gone on to work in the engineering and the maritime sectors.
Built in the the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead in 1903, the Daniel Adamson, initially named Ralph Brocklebank, is a survivor from the steam age. A small but powerful canal tug, it was built to tow long strings of barges laden with goods from the inland towns of Cheshire and the Potteries to the great seaport of Liverpool.
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