SS Mary and Helen, Neston

Work carried out the bell installation

September 1993 - November 1994

  1. Attended to recommendations on Page 5 of the Report by the Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd, dated 13th October 1993
  2. Dismantled all clappers except the Sixth, which had been the subject of a previous failure, baldricks re-leathered, new bolts supplied and fitted where necessary, clappers re-fitted to headstocks. The clapper from the Fourth had to be removed from the tower and attended to on the bench owing to a previous bad repair by persons unknown.
  3. All frame bolts, screws and tie bars tightened.
  4. All nuts and bolts about the bells tightened.
  5. All nuts, bolts and washers on wheel replaced with new.
  6. Rusted wheel stays removed and discarded. New angle iron wheel braces and headstock brackets made and fitted.
  7. All accessible ironwork wire brushed and given two coats of red lead.
  8. Wheel shrouds on Sixth and Seventh repaired.
  9. Eight new mahogany ceiling bosses turned and fitted to the Ringing Chamber ceiling. Those of Fourth, Sixth, Seventh and Tenor fitted with short rope chutes as these ropes fall along ceiling joists.
  10. Drawing Pulling for the Fifth rope on the clock chamber floor replaced with overhauled spare unit.

Labour not charged for.

Work to assist Bellhanger

One visit to remove all clappers ready for transporting to the Foundry.

Four days assisting Bellhanger on first visit to cut away the cast-in crown staples and drill the holes through the bell crowns and headstocks of the four older bells. (One day was wasted due to unforeseen delay of Bellhanger's arrival.)

Bellhanger's second visit

Two days. Fitting, testing and adjusting new clappers.

After Bellhanger's departure

Drilling crown staple shanks and fitting new split pins. Sweeping out and tidying up bell and clock chambers.

Mr Morgan's time at home making ceiling bosses and rope chutes and associated brackets and fittings.


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