NathanH

Hi Pete, Thank you for the question/clarification I am going on the information provided to me by the BCNS on the gauging, as I understood it. I didn’t do this aspect of the research myself, and have limited understanding of these records. I would agree that there are some assumptions, but with certainty EJ was a boatbuilder at that boat dock. It would not be too much of a leap to assume boats named after his family members were built by him. But I agree, I don’t have concrete evidence for this. As for the earlier hambletts boats, as EJ was a boat builder at the boat dock at that time, some of the boats may have been built by him. Again, the concrete evidence is elusive. Best! Nathan

Update: With the great help of the West Bromwich local history society and especially Phil Wild, the archivist of the BCNS, and books such as the very interesting Birmingham and the Black Country’s canalside industries (Ray Shill), I have made much progress on researching the boat building of my great grandfather Edmund John (EJ) Lawton and understanding the context of this aspect of my industrial heritage. Briefly: From gauge data, maps, it appears that EJ was working at the Piercy boat dock (As suggested by user “Heartlands” above) until 1915 when the Hambletts brickworks closed. The boat dock occupied the former Ireland Green colliery basin, east of the brickworks, as shown on a late 19th century maps (e.g., Smethwick archives). Gauge data shows that several boats were built by Hambletts with fleet numbers, but in 1904 two boats were named Ruby and Neptune. Following closure of the brickworks, new boats were built at the Piercy boat dock by EJ, and named Bill, Jack, Polly and Ted (Names I can related to family relatives). It appears as though EJ had gone into business in his own name, into the 1920s, possibly having taken over the boat dock. I continue to research. Questions unanswered include: Do any of the boats survive? Are there any old photographs of the boat dock and brickworks? Who were the later boats built for and for what purpose? Thank you again to everyone who has helped with this journey. It’s fascinating to me :) Wishing I had a narrow boat in which I could self isolate for the next two months! Best! Nathan

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. I have certainly uncovered some more of my history. It appears, as some suggested, that my Lawton Great great grandfather worked, building boats, at the boat dock of the Hamblett - Piercy brick works dock. Small bridges still remain on the tow path between Albion Road/Bromford Lane, that mark the entrance to the boat basin, now infilled. These bridges are lined by blue coping bricks with the mark of Hamblett. http://www.birmingham-canalwalks.co.uk/Slides Sites/Bromford Jct - Netherton Slides .html Another story I uncovered was that Edmund John Lawton was “asked to join fellow boat builders Fellowes, Morton and Clayton” but declined. I will continue to follow the leads everyone sent to this forum. Thank you all of you for taking the time to respond. It is much appreciated. Best! Nathan

Thank you Derek. I don’t think there is a connection.

Thank you Chris. Wonderful information.

Thank you for the reply. Not that I’m aware. My Lawton lines are all in Wolverhampton in the early 1800s, then West Bromwich. Thank you for your suggestions/thoughts. At present I don’t know if they had their own business. It may well be that they worked for others. I’ll see if my living relatives know anything more. Best!

Hi, My family come from a line of canal boat builders in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. However, we know very little about their business, boats, and whether any might still survive. My great great grandfather, Edmund Lawton (1848-1922) was listed as a canal boat builder in both the 1871 and 1881 census. His son, Edmund John Lawton (1872-1938) was listed the same in the 1901 census. I’d welcome any information on the Lawton boat builders, or suggestions on how I might research this history further. Much appreciated, Nathan