Heartland

The telegraph poles are shown in another image in the RCHS Weaver collection for Norbury Junction, this has been identfied

If I recall this image was one of the Weaver glass slides, so on reversing it we get: If this is Norbury, then this group of boats would include craft that may have worked on the branch. Are there any suggestions for identifying any of the vessels? The towpath would be on the correct side as can be seen from the 3rd Ordnance Survey 25 inch scale

OK another image.... I am amazed that these images has generated so much comments.

Thanks for those responses, sadly these images are not dated. There is also no order to this group, which were separated from others in the slide boxes. Here is another:

There remains several images to be properly identified. With time some are, but here is one yet to be identified as to location. No doubt somebody would know? As well as of noting if correct way round..... And this is the CORONA, right way round.

Thanks I will change it and this is the next image taken moments later. Not all images are reversed, it just the way the slides were mounted. Some have been picked up over time, others no doubt need to be discovered.

The Weaver list also gives Columba This view is the Columba and the Uranus seen South of Braunston and stated to be 11/1950 The is no record of the oncoming craft. RCHS Weaver Collection, again

The Weaver Collection (RCHS) has a few images of John Knill's boats. This view is of KENELM at Nursers Yard in 1951.

OK I have reversed the images

I did wonder if the term Monkey Boat was a London invention, as it appeared in London papers. In a conversation with the late Edward Paget Tomlinson, I gather there was a thought that the name was derived from the Tipton, Smethwick and Selly Oak boatbuilding family, the Monk's, but there were other notices in the press that referred to monkey boats elsewhere in the world. A reference to the canal boat version appeared in the Standard for January 21st 1841 when a detailed report of the Brentford Innundation was published. This happened on the Grand Junction Canal when timber floats broke loose following a flood. Barges and narrowboats were wrecked including a "monkey boat" called the Tipton Lass. The Grand Junction Canal Company were censured for not drawing the lock paddles when the waters were found to rise,. The Morning Chronicle on June 17th 1852 mentions the capsizing of a long narrow boat, or monkey boat which was being loaded with stone at Caens Wharf, Lower Rotherhithe, near the Old Globe Stairs on the Thames. Three people in the cabin were drowned. The Morning Chronicle on May 17th, 1854 mentioned the fate of the Providence which was described as a Monkey Boat. This craft was carrying timber and was crossing the river to the Woolwich Dockyard. The wash of a passing steam boat belonging to the General Steam Navigation Company was blamed for capsizing the Providence and the loss of most of the timber on board. The Jury accepted this was the case and awarded damages to the plaintiffs.

It may well be a close assessment, but there is one thing that cannot move and that is the remaining coal hoist!

Has CRT a text address for such problems, like the British Transport Police has for related railways issues?

The modern developments of bars and restaurants has created the present danger, where those under the influence of alcohol may fall into a lock or the canal. The recent case of a student from Bolton, drowning in the Rochdale Canal, is a case in point. The do-gooder-brigade would probably insist on railings along the canal towpath to reduce risk, but such a suggestion would hinder the boater, perhaps to such an extent that would resist using fenced in waterways.

The CRT Census is limited to the CRT. Why they are not 100 % compliant may be an issue, but how many places can a boat hide when it does not need to display a CRT license, I wonder. On a related subject there are all the other waterways to consider a census for.

The image, originally posted was from the RCHS Weaver Collection, If it is reversed, then that can be rectified. Unfortunately the slides were self mounted and there have been cases where it is not easy to spot. The other related image is: