archie57

There were some scenes filmed around the gauging lock at Buckby which ended up on the cutting room floor.

Unfortunately I can't remember which direction it was going along the lane to the Aqueduct works, or whether before or after canal reopening - a long time ago!

I seem to recall seeing the "Madeley" going past our house on the back of a lorry, going either to or from the bottom of Marple locks. They also had the "Jackal", cut off at the back end, as a pusher tug - and possibly the "Bream" as well.

Apologies to you both, Tim and Brian - I'm not sure how I managed that!

Tim's quite right - a Thames Conservancy boat converted and motorised at the top of the Cement Works arm at Stockton by Eric Hunt

For Swans Neck, a piece of ropework, read Rams Head!

I rather think you are referring to Vi Powell, daughter of young Charlie

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/visit/floor-plan/lusitania/morton-medal.aspx

Perhaps I should mention that the first part of his autobiography finishes before his involvement with canals. Part two I await with interest...........!

Perhaps overshadowed by the election, today marks 100 years since the "Lusitania" was sunk. Leslie Morton, later manager of the GUCCCo and Willow Wren, was at the time a crew member, along with his brother. He was the lookout who spotted the torpedo (always maintaining there were two) and along with another crew member rescued around 100 people, for which he received a medal for gallantry, presented by the King. The first part of his autobiography, "The Long Wake", is well worth reading for those interested in the sea.

My father was familiar with these boats, having seen them emptying in Coventry, going back to perhaps the 1920's or even before, and said he had heard them referred to as "watercress boats" because they all were poorly maintained and leaked badly!

You used to be able to meet a boat in the Rugby aqueducts, but BW as part of their "Waterway Shrinkage" policy (eg Ellesmere port, Sutton Stop, Ashby Canal bridges, Gas St basin, W & B towards Edgbaston, etc etc) reduced the width - they would say to save money when making repairs in the Rugby case, but isn't that short - sighted? On the continent they would, I am sure, take every opportunity to enlarge the waterways......

Definitely knife drawer - any self-respecting boater would clean the table after use so there wouldn't be any crumbs!

Isn't damage to reeds etc what English Nature were so worried about?

for a good picture, see Narrowboat magazine Summer 2013

Don't know where the 4-cylinder idea came from - the only pictures I've seen is the Petter PD2 used for these outboards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Bll3DEchU Alf Best and daughter Lucy at 9.42 - I bet most people have seen this many times!

I remember Charlie Powell who was lock keeper at one time

Alf Best had the "Coleshill" when at Mkt Harborough rally. Incidentally, we used to sell coal to his brother Bill when in Gloucester, before retiring he was bridge keeper at Llanthony bridge. I'd be interested to know more about the family, and how Bill ended up down there!

Not much good without the tinwork!

My little Woolwich originally had no lift pump, it had a semi-rotary pump on the engine room side drawing from the tanks, supplying a cylindrical header tank on the back end bulkhead, the angles being cut away to accommodate it, secured with two straps. The "Ceres" I think was the last with this arrangement.

At least one of the Atherstone locks once had centre paddles - they may all have had them at one time.

To some boaters 12horse Petters were the best thing since sliced bread!

Talk to Brinklow Boat Services

I believe that at one time BTW used transfers for some lettering, shaded to the right, and I dare say this was used on northern boats as well as the Bulls Bridge fleet