Derek R.

Much fun! Many bridge'oles will do likewise, there's one below sewerage lock on the GU - bridge 145, nasty bend where the offside arch will catch the cabin side if you don't keep towpath side, and the path is low under the bridge. No end of times folk stand under the bridge to watch the boat go by and get very wet feet.

Reminds me of the 'Hampton Tides'. Someone recalled that the levels at one end of the Wolverhampton level would rise with the oncoming fleet of Hampton boats heading one way loaded, pushing water before them. Don't doubt for a moment the wind could do likewise.

You are correct. Prior to 'development', Gas Street basin was a haven of seclusion. No 'traffic' to speak of, but secure I believe.

I assume that no clearer copy has survived? Dont really understand the comment. The order number is quite clear on the blueprint as it is on other drawings. You wrote "blurprint", slip of the finger - 'e' is next to 'r' on the keyboard.

Used to visit Felixstowe Ferry at times, and was always struck by the fascinating mish mash of floating craft, harbour service launches, motor torpedo and gun boats, old motor sailers and sailing barges, even an aircraft fuselage with outriggers. Walk around a modern marina and it's all plastic and stainless. Used to be a lovely little Barge Yacht called the Nancy Grey down at Old Leigh, wonder if it's still around. Derek

Strange, a bit off topic, but just yesterday I was browsing through an old scrapbook, and there was BEECLIFFE being featured in a 1977 W.W. issue - 'Continental Keel' - where BEECLIFFE is featured in a two part article. One picture is of the cabin below, and credited to one T. N. Leech. Is that you Tim - did you get to go on that trip? Derek

I think names came into it very much. I don't however, believe that naming boats was any appeasment to the boat people, it surely was simply a way of confirming any particular boat, rather like belt and braces, and from the point that on the 'Control Board' the little tags could only hold a three digit number at the most. There were many boats without names and just numbers alone, mostly day boats methinks, but then there were many more railway engines without names, though those with are better remembered for having them. Almost as much conjecture as where they got their names from in the first - or second place! A fleet number could be changes easier than a name - it takes less effort. But did numbers must come first originating in the builders yard, or did they have names alloted from when a keel was laid? The 'famous' shot of the Boat List in 'Inland Waterways' shows one fleet number first, followed by the names of Motor and Butty. Names were preferred, just as I preferred to be called Derek, rather than N 94649. But then I'm not an inanimate object. Not yet.

Which reminds me of a Goon Show classic, the title of which eveades me, but Minnie's partner Henry Crun was heard to say in a faltering quavering voice: "Don't go near - The C-a-n-aaaaal!"

What a lovely connection in those two shots. Some stories to be told there, and I'll wager it was all in a days work for Sophie. There may be value in keeping BW 'space invader' cabins as part of history, but I'm blessed if I can see any attraction in them. They were designed as a compromise I'm sure - wider gunnels and certain mandatory wash facilities etc, but soul-less and unwelcoming unless it was peeing down and the Reflex was on form. Edit for typo.

It's when you repeat the post the following day you need to start worrying. Repetition is a good way to learn, and the quickest way to empty a bar.

New Hope, drop a line to Jeannette Smith-Harrison, she contributes here from time to time, and has a great many links to various families. You'll find her in the 'Members' list. Derek

It is, isn't it! I particularly liked 'The Mine', 'Boswell Summit Pound', and 'Hawley Bank Foundry'. All carry the mark of a good author.

Sounds like 'Cassiopeia' . . Edited to add: In all seriousness, if we are including folk who were being asked what names they could come up with without referring to detailed lists, then there is every possibility that amongst some folk, Ethiopia may well have sounded like a heavenly body (without referring to the secretary's body) and may well have been included, such as Bargus might have been according to Laurence's hearsay. Enough have been spelt wrong, so there's a genuine reason why some have been heard and perceived as being right - but wrong. If you want to blow the detailed lists out of the ball park, then you are going to have to allow play for all. Bet Lesley Morton knows and is having a real chortle at all this.

If it sounds like a heavenly body - then it must be one. I'll settle for that. Being part and parcel of the 'constellation' would be enough for many and so we have the 'Star class' - easier to say. S'what happens when you can't sleep. Now, who else can I annoy . . .

Quite possible Darren, do you have a publisher or any other details?

In Greek mythology the King of Ethiopia was Cepheus. More here. PS: RA, was the Sun God. There is mention of him sailing across the sky in a barque, which brings a thought that 'Barque' could be Bargus?

Yes, Spring cleaning some while ago. Never imagine anyone wants the old info. Let me know what is wanted and I'll post'em. There was nothing exceptional, and the new plastic jobbie can be seen in E C Smith's catalogue. It was the same as was found in TYCHO when we took her on, and some reckon it was a pattern from way back, though the cabin was rebuilt some time after the seventies by Mr. Hatchard.

Yes it did seem a bit contradictory to what I recall from having walked some of the track bed. The former level crossing gates were still extant when I lived almost next door in Castle Park Road, and everything seemed to point to standard gauge, so reading the text again - it appears that the 'narrow gauge' railway was that set up to fecth the timber from Rothschild's estate, down to the supply yard where it was loaded onto standard gauge for despatch to Wendover. That sounds more like it! It's all in the last paragraph above the picture of the shunter - that is shown with crew aboard, a standard gauge wagon behind, and definitely not narrow gauge track! PS I think I just said what you said

King George VI died in February 1952, though that's not to say it could not be his initials, the production run may well have carried on for a while if indeed it does relate to the King's initials. I'm sure either of the two links will churn up more. The little green 'Hurricane' lamp type are available widely still, some at silly prices, but car boots are best. Vapalux for paraffin lamps and Coleman for petrol (gasoline) are the business for real light. Pressure lamps both, and for Tilley seek the 'Guardsman' pre 1957, the later X246B are common as muck and poorer quality. They work well enough if cared for though. Derek PS Yes, some of those old lamps are still working well after 80yrs of service, and amazingly enough - spares are often available.

It would seem there were around (dodgy reference) 174 boats built as 'Star Class' by the various builders (butties included), and I have an Atlas of the Universe by Thomas Nelson and Sons printed in 1961 with some listings. Clearly post the era we are looking at, but it does have certain lists. Amongst a full page of Constellations there are numbered 88 with both Latin names and English. Of course this book would not have been used, and it is not a definitive scientific work, more for the interested amateur - but such must have gone before. A great many boat names appear, but many listed do not. Individual Stars are listed in other sections, and I suppose with the inclusion of the Zodiacal signs, a few more would have been grabbed. I'm sure that any desire to gather names from heavenly bodies and associated elements would inevitably led to the seeking of such books. Many and varied might have been the sources. Derek

Go speak to the experts: http://lampguild.org/Default.html?Defaulttext.shtml&1 or: http://www.be-back-later.com/forums/index.php Such lamps were ten a penny once, the embossed letters could be manufacturer, haulage company, or Council, though railway company lamps were usually specialist and heftier.

Halton Station, Runcorn. Right by the Weaver Navigation. Opened 1851, closed to passengers 1952. Buildings extant as private residence. There was a branch that ran from Wendover Station to the RAF camp at Halton, Bucks., but built for supplies. A narrow gauge railway with an interesting history HERE. I'd be inclined to think the Runcorn Halton would have been foremost in 'naming thoughts' being close to Weston Point docks. But who knows.

Sorry, got crossed up with names - to: Yes Sarah Catrin!, TYCHO's crater would have been the more obvious one. Derek