The entire Earnslaw hull was sanded by hand before being primed, then 600 litres of paint was applied in two coats, in mid-June. Photo by James Beech.
Shipwright Stu Hansen lays some of the 800 linear metres of sustainable kwilla timber as decking.Photo by James Beech.
Real Journeys stoker Daniel Hamilton, of Queenstown, uses an air tool to chip away rust. Photo by James Beech.
Masking sheets cover parts of the Earnlaw that do not need painting. Photo by James Beech.
Vincent Holdings automotive re-finisher Sean Sharp-McKay, of Cromwell, applies wet-on-wet primer to the hull. Photo by James Beech.
More than 200 life jackets will be cleaned and inspected. Photo by James Beech.
Earnslaw and Walter Peak operations manager Angus Small said substantial work had been done on hull plating during past surveys. The hull was still in good condition, a benefit of sailing in clean lake water. Photo by James Beech.
Dozens of people gathered to see the return of the Earnslaw to Steamer Wharf after seven weeks of survey. Photo by James Beech.
No damage was found on either Earnslaw propeller. It will be the alternating turn of the of the port propeller to be removed for inspection in two years.
The Earnslaw sailed from the slipway on Friday morning to commence on board tests and reburbishment at Steamer Wharf.
The TSS Earnslaw is on course to finish its major centennial overhaul at Steamer Wharf this week, after weeks of survey on the Kelvin Heights slipway. James Beech charts the progress made by Real Journeys staff and contractors towards July 14, the date the century-old "Lady of the Lake" returns to service.
