Propeller Club Liverpool & North West

We are welcoming the official return of the new season of

The best, happiest, most wonderous networking event is back for its usual amazing Autumn run. Which is the best time of all.

We will gather, as ever from 1730 at Baby E on Dale Street. As ever, someone asks when it is, despite the name.

It is THURSDAY 03 SEPTEMBER.

Come along and say hello!

Huge thanks to Brookes Bell for their support as ever.

Less than 2 weeks to go until Briggs Marine visit Spark Youth.

If you're a young person thinking about your next step, whether that's an apprenticeship, training, or your first job, this is a chance to hear directly from people already working in the maritime industry and find out what opportunities are actually out there.

Places are going fast, so if this sounds like it could be for you (or your son, daughter, or someone you know), get in touch with us now to book a spot.

🗓️ Wednesday 26th August
🕓 1pm-3pm
📍 Spark Youth, Wirral Point, CH41 6EY

Message us or pop into Spark to reserve your place.

We wanted to share an inspiring challenge being undertaken by a dear friend of Propeller Club Liverpool, Mike Williams.

In September, Mike will take on the Ring O’ Fire Coastal Ultra Marathon—an extraordinary 130-mile journey around the entire coastline of the Isle of Anglesey—to raise vital funds for Rock 2 Recovery.

Mike spent 23 years in the Royal Marines before transitioning to the commercial sector in 2010 to build and run his own international risk-management business. For Mike, this run isn't about setting speed records; it’s about pushing boundaries, demonstrating that age is no barrier to extraordinary physical feats, and—most importantly—supporting a cause that hits close to home.

Why Rock 2 Recovery?
Rock 2 Recovery provides essential, specialized support to UK Armed Forces veterans, serving personnel, emergency services "blue light" workers, and their families who are coping with stress, operational trauma, and mental health challenges.

How You Can Help
Taking on 130 miles of rugged coastal trail is a formidable test of endurance, but the funds raised will make a direct, life-changing impact for veterans and first responders.

We are encouraging our Propeller Club community to rally behind Mike and show our support:

Sponsor Mike: Every donation, no matter the size, fuels both his 130-mile journey and the vital work of Rock 2 Recovery.

Share the Campaign: Help spread the word through your personal and professional networks to amplify his reach.

https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/activity/ring-o-fire-coastal-ultra-marathon/mike-williams

Let’s demonstrate the strength and generosity of the Liverpool maritime community by helping Mike cross the finish line and exceed his fundraising goal.

As Mike says: 130 miles. One island. Keep moving forward.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

SportsGiving - Donate To Activity: Mike Williams Mike Williams is raising money for Rock2Recovery. Visit their fundraising page to sponsor them online now!

CPMH 30th Anniversary Conference: Centuries of history, 26 speakers, two days, one conference you don't want to miss.

The Centre for Port and Maritime History is celebrating its 30th Anniversary Conference on 10–11 September 2026 in Liverpool John Moores University

A few of the stories:

🔎 Jules Verne's greatest hidden secret? Independent scholar John Lamb makes the case that Captain Nemo — hero of 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas — was secretly modelled on Raphael Semmes, captain of the Confederate raider CSS Alabama, built at Lairds shipyard in Birkenhead. Verne even had the fictional Nautilus built at the same yard.

🎬 From WWII disaster to Spielberg's Jaws: Sebastian F. Croft (University of Warwick) traces how the USS Indianapolis tragedy became one of cinema's most famous monologues — and what it reveals about America's relationship with Hiroshima.

⚓ 512 years of history: Cedric Loughran of Trinity House — the maritime charity chartered by Henry VIII, whose past Masters include Samuel Pepys, Winston Churchill and Montgomery of El Alamein — shares the story behind the institution.

🖼️ Can museums win the culture war with facts? Martin Bellamy (Glasgow Life Museums) takes on the controversy sparked by the Burrell Collection's display on shipping magnate William Burrell, in a keynote that goes head-to-head with recent public criticism of "woke" museum interpretation.

⛵ Beyond hero and victim: Jo Stanley's keynote challenges the old passenger/seafarer divide, looking at ladies' maids, paying "apprentices," and the real story behind figures like the "Cunard Casanova" — and what Titanic got wrong.

Plus: forgotten histories of Liverpool's whaling trade, Black sailors fighting for freedom in the American Civil War, the Arandora Star tragedy and its legacy for third-generation Italian families in the UK, women running naval dockyards, 17th-century ceramic forgery in the Persian Gulf, and much more.

The conference closes with the Mike Stammers Memorial Prize for the best postgraduate paper (sponsored by Liverpool University Press), followed by a drinks reception with a performance from the Liverpool Shanty Choir at the Victoria Gallery and Museum.

📍 John Foster Building, Liverpool | 🗓️ 10–11 September 2026 Hosted by CPMH, in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool.

👉 https://buyonline.ljmu.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/ljmu/conferences/cpmh-30th-anniversary-conference — spaces are limited.

CPMH 30th Anniversary Conference | Liverpool John Moores University This year CPMH marks 30 years and we are celebrating with a packed 2 days of panels, events and speakers. The full conference programme can be viewed and d

The Spanish Nao Santa María ship is visiting Liverpool:

A full-scale, faithful replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship, the Nao Santa María, is visiting Liverpool as part of an international historical outreach tour.

The replica was constructed by the Nao Victoria Foundation in Punta Umbría (Huelva, Spain), with funding from the Huelva Provincial Council and the Cajasol Foundation.

Construction took 14 months, starting in January 2017 and completing in March 2018.

Liverpool is selected as one of 30 ports included in this year's international historical outreach tour

The ship will be moored at the Royal Albert Dock Wednesday, August 12 – Saturday, August 15, from 10AM to 8PM daily (subject to change based on weather).

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/spanish-nao-santa-maria-ship-34429798?

Spanish Nao Santa Maria ship to arrive at the Albert Dock this week The full-scale copy of the Nao Santa María will visit Liverpool next week

Support Merchant Navy Day 2026 in Liverpool

On 6 September 2026 12:00 St Nicks Church Liverpool will come together to celebrate Merchant Navy Day, a national occasion dedicated to recognising the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of the men and women of the Merchant Navy.

As one of the world's great maritime cities, Liverpool has a proud seafaring heritage. Merchant Navy Day provides an opportunity to honour those who have served at sea and currently at sea , remember those who gave their lives in service, and raise awareness of the vital role that merchant seafarers continue to play in supporting global trade and everyday life.

According to organiser Andy Hines, the aim is to deliver an engaging and memorable event that brings together seafarers, veterans, maritime organisations, local communities, and the wider public. Planned activities will celebrate Liverpool's rich maritime history while promoting the importance of today's maritime industry and those who work within it.

To make this event possible, they are seeking support from individuals, maritime businesses, organisations, and members of the public who share our commitment to preserving and celebrating our seafaring heritage.

How Your Donation Will Help https://gofund.me/1eae81756
Funds raised will contribute towards:

Event planning and delivery

Educational and commemorative activities

Community engagement initiatives

Promotional materials and event infrastructure

Ensuring the long-term sustainability of future Merchant Navy Day celebrations in Liverpool

Where the Funds Will Go

All donations will be collected on behalf of the Liverpool Seafarers Centre (Registered Charity No. 1125539). Funds will be managed and held by the charity and used to support Merchant Navy Day celebrations and commemorations in future years, helping to establish a lasting legacy for this important annual event.

Why Your Support Matters

Merchant Navy Day is more than a celebration—it is a tribute to generations of seafarers whose service has helped shape our nation and our city. With your support, we can ensure that their contribution is recognised, remembered, and celebrated by future generations.

Whether you can make a small personal donation or provide corporate sponsorship, every contribution will help us deliver a fitting and memorable Merchant Navy Day 2026.

Please support the campaign and help Liverpool continue its proud tradition of honouring the Merchant Navy and the maritime community that remains at the heart of our city's identity.

Andy added, "Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can make Merchant Navy Day 2026 a celebration worthy of our seafaring heritage."

Donate to Merchant Navy Day 2026 , organized by Andrew Hines Support Merchant Navy Day 2026 in Liverpool On 6 September 2026, Liverpool will come together to… Andrew Hines needs your support for Merchant Navy Day 2026

Pleased to say the latest edition of is out. Members will be receiving their pdf version in their inbox shortly. In the meantime, here's a little page flicky version to keep you entertained.

A lot of stuff packed into 73 pages! Our biggest edition yet! Can you spot yourself in the photos?

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/71258482/leading-edge-summer-2026-1

Thank you to those who contributed and assisted. It is a team sport this networking lark!

Leading Edge Summer 2026 (1) Maritime Networking magazine from Propeller Club Liverpool

Join our team in Liverpool, UK
Apply now for a great opportunity

Title: Sales Operations Coordinator
Type: Temporary position
Link: https://bit.ly/4vY9AWi

Visit: https://bit.ly/3RjOF1H

Everyone at Propeller Club Liverpool sends love and condolences to Rod Thomas’ family and friends, as we hear the sad news of his passing.

He was central to the maritime community here for many years and played a huge part in the continued success of the Plumbers’ Ball.

We will remember him fondly.

We are deeply saddened to share the news that our friend, former Chair, and long-standing Honorary Secretary, Rod Thomas, recently passed away. He will be dearly missed but fondly remembered.

Rod was Chair of The Marine Guild in 1989 and served as the Guild's Honorary Secretary for over 35 years. He was a true gentleman who put his heart and soul into his work for the Guild.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Rod's funeral will be held at Landican Crematorium, Wirral, on Wednesday, 22nd July, at 11:30.

You have all been such good boys and girls, we thought you deserved a little something special as a summer treat. As there is no August First Thursday we are embarking once again on our annual Summer Hostelry Tour in the lower reaches of our fine city.

Partaking in some wonderful Liverpool hostelries. We shall gather in The Ship and Mitre from 1500 on Friday 7th August, and then move promptly and as precisely as the Pimms will allow us.

The full tour itinerary is as follows:

1500-1545 Ship and Mitre, 133 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2JH
1545 – 1630 The Excelsior, 121-123 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2JH
1630-1715 The Vernon Arms, 69 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2HJ
1715-1800 Rigbys, 19 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2EZ
1800-1845 Ye Hole in Ye Wall, 4 Hackins Hey, Liverpool L2 2AW
1845-1930 The Denbigh Castle, 10 Hackins Hey, Liverpool L2 2AW

If you’ve been to our previous Festive December Hostelry Tours, then you know the score – if you haven’t, then don’t miss out again. All should be self-explanatory, but if you have any questions then please do email [email protected] and we shall endeavour to assist.