Preparations – October-December 2022
Having delivered Vigilance to No 1 Slip, we finalised the contract with our principal funders, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and carried out regular meetings and discussions with Stirling’s to clarify design and rebuild features. Because there are no as-built plans, only those of a sister ship, and various changes had been made over the past 97 years, every dimension, internally and externally, was measured and laser-scanned for comparison with line drawings. This had to be done before any timbers were cut away, which could have altered the shape. Jacks, props and wedges were used to level Vigilance to the waterline. Planned changes, for instance moving the propeller to the centre to improve handling under power, required a range of associated decisions relating to the stern post, rudder, cutaway and the size of the propeller itself.

Preparatory works including removing the deckhouse and floor, disconnecting the engine and generator and removal of the engine room wall, went ahead. Gaps between timbers revealed a significant sag in the stern. Preparatory works continued after Christmas, with the intention of getting the works proper under way towards the end of January.