Derek R.

An image from sixty years ago springs to mind. Advertisements showing what not to do on the 'new motorway' - included not parking your car on the hard shoulder for a pic-nic. The canal WAS the 'motorway' - commerce the traffic. But things change, and some immigrants respect nothing other than 'their' way. Ironically, two opposites have moved onto the water; those with available income to spend on boats seldom used and 'over gadgetised', and those struggling to make any headway in the housing market-place. Not all of them have historic sympathies, and some no respect for it at all. Back in the late seventies, I got hold of a copy of the Bouladon report. I've probably spelt that wrong, but it outlined the prospects of commercial traffic on continental waterways. One fact stated within was that if a certain proposed German waterway was constructed, the German Federal Railways would have had to withdraw their freight trains due to the impossibility of competing with the waterway on freight charges. I recall (badly) 5,000ton barges were envisaged.

It's easy to be cynical, and whilst some may believe FMC & GUCCC got it right, they only got part of it right - for a time. I feel sure FMC were almost relieved that Nationalisation took their latter day burden off their hands, whilst GUCCC and later BWB attempted business against stiff competition from road, they had a lack of facilities against them. The lorry became 'King'. All hailed the lorry. Ask the Stobard's of this world to contemplate haulage by water, and likely they will think continental barges and container shipment. The Number Ones have gone to the likes of Barlows and the bank. Modern day transport frustrations make water born freight appealing, but like the 'Penguin' and Mars bar, the cut has been downsized, re-established in the main for leisure only and the refuge of canalside liveaboards seeking to get away from whatever it is they want to get away from. It has become the playground of the enthusiastic historic transport buff. Some clocks don't get turned back - only through nostagia do we see revealed that which once was. If 350ton Peniches are having troubles in France against the Belgian, Dutch and German waterway networks carrying thousands of tons in a vessel, what chance our tiny in comparison network with its months long stoppages? It may be different on the North East broad waters, and perhaps the currently frowned upon view of 'dirty coal' will change when the wind becomes seen for its constant unreliability and cost of infrastructure (facts often hurt most), that there may still yet be trade worth pursuing afloat. Only time will tell. Small beer may still be had from carrying by enthusiasts, and long may that continue. But it needs passion. Not something easily seen on account sheets. Though it can show up in pretty pictures.

Faced with the competition of a one ton van, or amounts multiple of, and a road network that reaches virtually every door, he has to be playing to the green idealists. Maybe there'll be wind turbines adapted to take advantage of the forward motion of the vessels, to aid in supplying power to the propulsion unit.

I knew a Carl, though I think he spelt it Karl - Kirby-Turner was his name. Lived aboard a small Dutchman before moving on to medium sized Dutchmen, and dealing with imports from Holland. Mostly Thames based but not with wood as I recall. Haven't been in contact for over thirty years. He did work in a Brentford dock for a time. Dark haired, bearded, public schoolboy accent. Probably a world apart.

It's a reversion to childhood. I just wish the joints would catch up. I see I'm 'long standing', but have always sat down to use the keyboard . . .

Hi John, I had thought the image to be 1947 as credited, but a more knowledgeable source has stated this is not so. The boat on the far side has been declared OXFORD No.2, which if this image was taken in 1947 would have been fairly new - not in the condition as seen. The Whitlocks - if indeed it is they, and I have no reason to doubt this at this point, were not working IAN and IONA in '47. Who gave me this information does not come to mind, but it may have been Pete Harrison or Paul Hunter. If it was not, then I have honestly forgotten. I did write to the CET asking for any further information from their archive, but received no reply. "This is reckoned to be Winter 1961/2. Likely to be Tycho with the Petter PD3 as the exhaust is off centre, the Petter was fitted at Saltley by British Waterways in 1958. There is no roof vent for the air cooled engine being reliant on leaving the doors open. The RN as fitted in '47 exhausted centrally. Characters in the bridgehole are likely to be Rose Skinner, Joe Skinner and Bill Whitlock. The Whitlocks had Ian and Iona at that time, which are thought to be the loaded pair in the foreground. Oxford No.2 is on the other side." Hope this helps. Edited to add: There is evidence on the roof of TYCHO where the exhaust was situated - directly above the up-turned outlet from the manifold. It was the simplest and shortest route when re-engined, and may have also been why a correct Petter air outlet on the roof was omitted upon fitting - speed. I did chat briefly with one maintenance man we met at Braunston a few years back who claimed they used a piece of scaffold tube in place of a silencer at one time. Relocating the outlet to a central position was probably done post 1968ish. Will be interested to hear results of a records search. REDCAP/OXFORD No.2 is a cracking little boat - if only . . . .

In comparison, the wooden horse boat WINDSOR of Wm. Foster, BCN Register 14872, was gauged at Tipton 26/2/1896 showing 35.35 dry inches light, 0.53 dry inches with 35ton. 30ton gave 4.43 dry inches. This included "3 Ben Rudd, M & Case, FF CCoup 3/4 plks [planks] Cratch 2 std 2cwt dunnage & F Floor deck" (The longhand is difficult to read). Some of these items were crossed out and in the 'alterations' column: "Add 10cwt 8/9/20" Some wood does not float. Our tiller peg on TYCHO fell out and bounced into the cut never to rise again. May have been Rosewood or Mahogany, not sure.

A forum is as social as you make it. Every technology that emerges challenges an established norm, and that may be said of; Computers, Television, ball point pens, the telegraph, the Penny Post - even beacons lit on hilltops etc. High tech communications need not be engaged in unless the next time you need a blood transfusion, they insert nano chipped blood cells into your body against your wishes or knowledge. Exercise choice whenever it arises.

Speaking of boats in the ice, there's one of what could be TYCHO published in the Coventry Evening Telegraph which is credited in the Coventry Canal Societies booklet as being taken in the freeze of 1947. Further investigation shows that certain boats and characters in the shot show it to be a freeze of the early sixties. Things may not always appear as either they seem, or are told about. Mistakes do happen.

Let's guess: Wide boat PHEONIX during the 1937 Coronation?

No, but a good effort requires skill and proper brushes. The 'essence' is in getting a presentable representation of the basic themes through care, and with continued practice - speed. That can just shows clumsy handwork, especially the dividing black lines. It could be a child's attempt at copying something bigger, which presents the possibility of a boatman's young family member having a 'go', and fair play.

I think, as Laurence does, a different hand painted the castle on the bottom. It's rather crudely done, yet it has all the hallmarks of being quite old, not that that means it was done by any established canal painter but more likely by a boatman with inadequate brushes and perhaps technique. Still quite attractive for all that in a naive sort of way. I bet someone was proud of it at one time. Maybe still is. The half gallon can I saw in Church Stretton wasn't a patch on it. Too tidy, and too 'commercial'. A fireside novelty though the handle and proportions were good.

It looks small. There's what looks like a half gallon painted can in Stretton - £25. Not for me. But I did come away with a carpenters toolbox. (One born every minute).

My shots are of TYCHO, as are Speedwheel's after the bottom had been overplated from beneath. The red oxide is on the original bottoms, and the short longitudinal pieces had angles on them (cut off at some point) to locate a timber to support shutts, not a kelson as such. From memory when on dock ten years ago, there was no visible 'extra' steelwork under the bottoms. I had thought maybe the overplated butt straps athwartships might be the 'join' when shortened in 1942, but of course it does not extend up the hull sides. Edited to add: Looking back at the TUCANA thread, the whole bottom is shown with the boat on its side. Nothing other than butt straps athwart beneath.

Does rather look like it: http://www.gtmdrivers.com/forum/historic-photos-t2142.html Back to the boats, I wonder if the middle bit of the boat on the bank is from the GU Butty.

Welcome to 'The Snug' Andy, and an interesting piece of the jig-saw puzzle to boot. The name Vince Locatelli brought back some memories, not that I met him personally, but it does remind me of our first expedition on the Wey, and meeting Mr. Stevens.

. . any use?

Nor will it be correct, as it was a studio mock up - no room for a camera in any fore-cabin!! Though the layout as described wouldn't be far wrong. Probably a little 'bottle' stove for heat.

Well, colour resolutions etc. aside, some cracking good images. Certainly looks like a darker blue on ATLANTIC than is currently in vogue. Just goes to show there were no hard and fast rules when the tin was opened. Lovely shot of CAGGY and crew. That would be framed and on the wall if my family. And if pockets were full, I'd be drifting around instead of writing trivia.

And purple trees and water?

1983 was the first time we encountered the BCN, and were fascinated and captivated. Quite why may be hard to understand when most relish the soft green water pathways teeming with wildlife, but the grime, pollution and industrial decay presented us with images of pure energy that once thrived. It seemed thick with ghosts and stories untold. Nice shot of JUDITH ANNE. I took some of SALLY in the later eighties on the way to the BCLM.

PB seems to have a complaint. Is there any evidence of wrong doing? A group of Vintage car/motorcycle/lorry/bus drivers/owners gather in a predetermined place on publicly accessible land for a get together. They have expensive vehicles and some are maintained and displayed in superb condition. I think it's nice to see such gatherings, and in most cases conversation about the vehicles is welcomed and informative, though there are always some who think they shouldn't be there. Equally there are some owners who are a bit snooty at being plied with questions. Takes all sorts. Was long lining through a crowded Braunston a crime? - or a demonstration of technique (I would imagine somewhat limited under the circumstances though). The truly sad part of this element is that it raises discrimination between certain owners. The cut exists today largely for pleasure with a strong presence of the industrial historic. Exclusivity is partly in the wallet, and partly in the mind. Sometimes the proportions are chosen, sometimes they are forced upon us. But let's not get shitty about it.

GEORGE was originally fitted with a Kromhout according to one source. Last time I heard it running (2010 I think) it sounded very regular, unlike most Bolinders, but it is listed elsewhere as being Bolinder powered.

Fountain's Mill building remains as a youth centre, and back in the eighties I'd heard that there 'used to be' an arm going up beside the Crown and Treaty. Spent some time above Uxbridge lock to the background accompanying hum of King's Mill. Probably 'flats' now. The gate paddles have been put back by the looks of it. Bit on Uxbridge, the mills and the C&T. Hope it's the right Uxbridge . . . .

Well there's a novelty!