I have had this image for some time. It was taken at Runcorn in the early 1950s and shows a couple of six plank boats. One belongs to Jonathan Horsefield Limited, but who owned the Wye behind? It is registered 1158, presumably at Manchester. The kids on the Marjorie have spotted the camera!
This photograph pre-dates the electric tug and therefore cannot be 1920-25. The boat is likely to be going through the old tunnel. When the tug was introduced a large semi-circular fender was built in order to guide the boats on tow into the tunnel. That is not present in this photo.
Farmer's Friend was Bowers & Thorley fleet No.1. There are photos of this boat painted differently. Here is another view of the same trip taken at Flint Mill Lock The chap in the background holding a pipe is familiar but I can't put a name to him at the moment. It isn't Primrose Thorley who was one of the owners. I love the upturned tiller to enable the standing steerer to see over the crowd on the image above.
It took me a while to recognise this view of Middlewich as the buildings in the background have either changed dramatically with a faux half-timber frontage, or been demolished. The Boar's Head to the left of the white-fronted building is still recognisable.
Are there any businesses out there who would collect and scrap a steel narrowboat. What do people usually do when a boat comes to the end of its economic life?
A great loss to the waterways of Ireland, his knowledge is irreplaceable. Such a nice man too.
A view of Brian at the wheel of his beloved Knocknagow in a squall on Lough Derg.
The boundary with the gasworks is the dotted line. It does seem that the high walls were not there in 1913 but by the time of the photo they formed the edge of the coal bunkers.
That's it Mike! To the right is the Metropolitan Water Works, ahead with the chimney is a power station and to the left are the coal bunker walls of the gasworks. The map shows the scene at the 1913 revision - red arrow showing the angle that the photographer took. Thanks for your assistance, much appreciated.
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