Derek R.

I understand RAMBLER, an Uxbridge built Josher, was lived aboard by a Hector Bijl at Paddington, and that there was a fire on board. The boat was dumped in the fifties up a certain arm. Tempting thought. Derek

Give the nod when you get that up and running! I remember the Kursaal water splash, but the later one on rails. I was told before the rails were put in, a 'sailor' stood on the back to guide the boat back to the landing. Seems there might have been some accidents, so they put it on rails. The Wild Mouse too - been on that! The boating lake has gone, even the 'new' water splash - the log ride - has been done away with. Too many getting splashed with water I wouldn't doubt - H & S, litigation possibly - what a world! Amazingly the 'Crooked House' remains along with the 'Speedway', but the 'Golden Hind' is nothing like it was. Even Rossi's tastes insipid. No smell from the Gas Works and less tar on the beach, but plenty of broken glass. Derek

There is little future for modern trams on modern or even old roads, for the interference with conventional rubber tyred traffic is too great, (reserved track may be a different kettle of sparks). Some will advocate removal of the rubber tyred traffic such as has been done in Croydon and elsewhere, but servicing commerce with commodities suffers, and fares when used for commuting totted up on an annual basis will often outstrip the cost of running a small car, which is today's ultimate convenience transport and the scapegoat for taxes and all the environmental fascists. (Don't worry, I care for the environment as much as anyone, but do not want to freeze to death because someone bans me from burning a stick, or cannot afford to switch something on). Despite modern trams being dramatically attractive (to some), they, like all the other modern buses we see, will be treated with a similar contempt as were all the Trolleybuses, Daimlers, Guys, Leylands, AEC's etc., when they were thick as thieves on the streets. The very fact that so many lasted for so long made them stand like bastions of solidarity and regularity, and familiar to generations - something sorely missing from today's man made environment. But it is largely nostalgia that is the driving force behind the re-introduction of trams, anyone costing up a new tram network and suggesting it is more economical than a fleet of motor buses might well have been headed for a padded cell not so long ago. No, what makes the likes of the old Fleetwood trams and all the other old trams that are still trundling and groaning along on rails is the fact that they ARE old, and that they represent something from a persons past to show their children - tourist attractions! And most young people love them because they are so different from the norm. I well remember travelling on 1938 stock, short of a few even older carriages that was all there was on the Piccadilly, and a trip on the Circle and Central lines was a foreign Country! Pity the Izzle of Wit hasn't got their little tank engines still, with their distinctive steam air compressors beside the smoke box. But it runs! And with old stock - That's the attraction. Another gem in the historic transport world is the Isle of Man. 100 year old stock there on the Manx Electric Railway, and their steam railway is possibly the only passenger railway system in the world still running steam and stock that are original to the system and in use for its original purpose - passenger carrying. But would they be so popular if all that old stock was replaced with modern equipment? Not a chance. Take Southend-on-Sea Pier railway, the tragic, and avoidable spate of fires has helped in no small way to eradicate a Victorian piece of engineering, but also an attraction that drew the crowds. The little electric green and cream trains by Metro-Camell of Birmingham, had four wheel sets that sent a very characteristic sound all along the shore from almost Shoeburyness to Leigh. Those trains are gone, and whilst the replacement diesel sets still run the rails in limited form, they are not the same, even the sound is 'wrong' through different wheel spacing. Furthermore, Southend Council have aided and abetted in the wanton destruction of their transport heritage by stripping out the old wooden ticket office, by sweeping all away and replacing with acres of glass and tiling, the new ticket counter is brash and wide open. People come and see little attraction in that, and often wander off elsewhere. Hidden away, quite out of sight, is a doorway leading down into the former railway workshops, where a museum of Southend, its characters, pier and pier railway is set up - complete with several of the older green and cream carriages. Well worth seeking out for those visiting - but sadly almost totally ignored by the modernistic Council. Just a pound to get entry, but opening times limited. Modern transport systems; over complex, constantly changing, no attachment to any generation or era, and hostile to the psyche. Derek Don't you believe it! How about 47 billion? It's on the cards and has been since the nineteen twenties. Levels of control have been growing ever since, But this is a subject best researched elsewhere - however, it DOES need to be researched by everyone. There is a wake up call that will make many disbelieve what is happening all around. Things are not as they seem. Derek

Someone been out with the Vaseline? Nice control.

Aah! So a little warmer. From that shot of the fore end tied in Dickinson's Apsley shed, could you say who built that boat? It seems to have quite a long fore deck, and thick rubbing strakes that speak Runcorn to me, but I'm sure to be wrong! Derek

One of my other gripes too! Watch the wheels turn on steam locos and count the beats - so often very wrong! I'm afraid the big diesel's would have gone over my head too. Some sound good, but blessed if I could tell them apart. Not so an RF or RT though - Oh no! Very distinctive. As is A little digression. Derek PS Going back to Scotia, in that shot it seems to have a multitude of vertical ice plates all along the hull side. Is that right?

From which boat builder did this originate Carl, and do you know if it was a commonplace design, or specific to a yard or region? Ta. Derek

I have been looking at many pictures of boats, photographs taken from the early part of the last century, after the picture of a T stud poking out the ground was published by Mark in Canalscape London. The chain shackle caught my eye, and such seems to be a feature of several boats that frequented the London area, but there does seem to be some indication (false or otherwise) of this feature being possibly Uxbridge based, though so far, it is not possible to say solely Uxbridge, maybe further afield too - at least as far as New Mill, Tring, and Bushell's. Chain is well known to have been used around the BCN, and I'm sure we are all familiar with chain as being the maintenance boat regular mooring medium! But it also appears in a substantial number of shots of boats in and around London. Clearly it is more vandalproof than rope, but was there more to it - something to do with towage on the river? Or some peculiar attachment to boats serving ports perhaps carrying 'Bonded' goods, and in need of 'secure' fixings? Can anyone with a more detailed knowledge of historic boat builders throughout the land add to this - but specifically to the London area? Also, there is a definitive 'flare' to the stem piece as it ends behind the stud in the Canalscape shot - surely a trade mark of some boat dock Blacksmith? Another angle. Derek

I'm sure Laurence's DVD's are well worth purchasing (though hopefully free from hobby music tastes). However, how much more representative of English canals would these video clips be if instead of being assaulted by such a cacophany, we heard the sounds of the cut - paddles being raised; water rushing through gate paddles; sounds of windlass on cabin slide; boat engines, and maybe a horse taking some strain; gates closing; a train steaming by, or the sound of an AEC or whatever - the sounds of life as it was. All of these can be reproduced, and not necessarily in synchronisation with the activities. As to the photo reversals to negative, and the colour distortions along with the rapid fire twisting of images - it's more like being at the commencement of the barrage at Tobruk! Could it be any more removed from canal life reality? Sorry to harp on about it, but I really do think it's an opportunity to educate - World Wide is lost. System failure. Only the air is Blue. It takes a long time to build a good reputation, and seconds to destroy it. Keep 'em coming Laurence - but not with a sledge hammer please! I'll say no more. Derek

It's just not 'Morris' Old chap! "Caribou - on the lawn . . ." "Goorn."

I'm so glad there's a 'mute' button. Laurence, if these video clips are any measure of what the full length DVD's you are selling are like - count me out. All this twisting and photo reversal is an insult on the senses. I can appreciate you are seeking more sales, but I do think this is the wrong approach. Derek

Shot in the dark - Is that Imperial Mill in the background?

What a bunch of Stars we have here!

Nice shot, needless to say recently painted and looking very good. Can you tell us more about the boat from which the photo was taken or anything about the steerers? Derek

I don't really think the location of a sunken barge is as important, as much as it represents things that are being constantly lost. There is an interesting shot of a London remnant in the photo file. Just a 'T' stud and remains of a stem piece sticking out the ground, but an intriguing shackle fitted at the base, and mounted on the remains of what must have been a nice piece of the Blacksmith's art at one time. Not so common methinks. Yahoo I find suffer-able, and it has it points. Online, ALL the messages are listed chronologically, there are no categories as such, and so nothing need be missed. You just click on the messages you want to read. As it is fairly specific to an area, then there's not a lot of likelyhood of it being oversubscribed to the point of distraction. True photo's cannot easily be placed in a message, but there are albums that can be created. Overall I do prefer this type of forum format as it has more 'flexibilty' with posting things. A lot may also depend on what one is used to - I got scribbling on Yahoo before I met this type, so I'm kind of 'bi-lingual'. Derek

Excellent project! Always interested in knowing what disappeared, and where it went. Well done. Derek PS An interesting addition might be the date when it was closed/filled in.

Oh-Dear! I do hope comparing Perseus to a Routemaster bus doesn't cause it to end up with the same fate!! Iconic they may have been to several generations, but gone they are now from regular scheduled service. Derek

Thanks Pete, Local 'Vintage Emporium' (second hand clothes jewellery furniture you name it) has a pile of magazines, might browse along and search for more. Derek

Very nice. Hodgson was a master painter, and Reg has a very good likeness. Possibly and probably slightly different, and that's a person's signature, but the style is superb. My favourite. Derek

The picture credits are definitely attributed to an E. R. McNaughton.

From the 1955 Spring edition of 'Hertfordshire Countryside', an article by T. H. Hook comments on the fashion for filling in canals that bear no traffic, and ponders the future of the remaining canal system as possibly one for leisure. 1954 saw 12,000,000 tons carried. These shots show Iron Bridge lock and a pair departing North - Uttoxeter and ? Battersea possibly? Battersea was paired with Uttoxeter during the 'Trainee' years, but that was nine years earlier. Can anyone identify the motor and crew? Sleeves rolled up, Trilby, bib'n brace, and Wellies. The lady in the butty wears a headscarf. The second see's a regular tourist service just leaving Albert's Two that was commented on as being an ideal way to introduce young people to the canals and their history. This trip boat, along with Denebola, was described as running from Croxley Bridge to Grove Mill on Sundays, taking one hour each way. Seventy people can be seated in each, and refreshments available in the form of Tea for the adults, and 'pop' for the children. Extended cabin for 'catering'. Both photo's by E. R. McNaughton.

I think we will have to wait until more confidence has returned to the money market for further action. An approach to Three Rivers District Council's planning department might be one avenue of investigation. What used to be can be seen in Robert Wilson's 'Too Many Boats'. A picture credited to John Dickinson Ltd. of one pair of boats being unloaded by the overhead grab crane, with another pair behind waiting. On P.12. Derek

Thank you Sue, and Den, I admire Rolt's writing, and whilst not trying to emulate him - these are my own sentiments - I think he might be jogging my arm a bit. But that's just a fancy. Derek

No answers, just comment. Any new industrial artefact, be it canal, railway, motorway, will draw complaint. It represents a change from what has gone before, and usually that was field and farm which represented stability, solidarity, and reliability - even if only in the mind. I'm reminded of the Greywell tunnel on the Basingstoke canal. When talk went around that there might be a possibility of restoring the tunnel for navigation, shrieks of protest went up about how the boats would disturb the now large colony of Bats that dwelt within - "Where will the Bats go - Save our Bats!". There were other considerations involved in such a restoration, and the idea seemed to be dropped, but it does beg the questions; Where did the Bats live before the tunnel was built? and; what was it built for anyway? It seems to me the most ardent environmentalists today are middle class people who have never got their hands calloused from wielding manual tools, and who see 'Nature' as vulnerable and sacrosanct, and in need of saving no matter what is involved. Whenever some species or other comes into contact with mankind's work, they are there to leap to its defence. There are instances of netting and other forms of animal access made available to wildlife where concrete walls of motorway embankments have cut through regular wildlife trails, and we know the most efficient kind of canal bank protection in the form of steel and concrete piling is far from wildlife friendly, and all who cherish the 'natural' form of canal that meanders rather than goes bullet straight, are far more attractive to cruise on - but that was not what they were built for - nor do they now appear as they were built! However, as the journey along country lane is a far more attractive proposition than a Motorway for pleasure, then a modern day compromise is needed when viewing what is best suited for a canal environment that both serves as a reminder of its industrial past, and at the same time making maintenance and ongoing sustainability (never thought I would come round to using 'that' word) of canal side architecture. If a Mill building cannot be utilised into a block of residences, then ultimately it will disappear - Wander's. Unsustainable. In 1983 we went through Shelton Steelworks that still sounded to the continuous ringing of hot metal through the rolling mills. There was a sense of urgency and industry that could be felt in the very air we breathed - exciting and intoxicating - this was no place for Moorhen and Kingfisher, yet still, they were not far away. I have a photo I took in 1988 at Plank Lane with the pit head gear in place. It serves as a graphic reminder of the area and its industry. Gone, the place tells us little of what the area was. No reminder of those who worked below in dust, dirt and noise. New canalside housing estates sanitise and fudge the landscape into a picture book with no pictures. Pass by John Dickinson's at Apsley, or Croxley, and the past is no longer there. Re-visit a place of your childhood where railway sidings and goods yards existed complete with the sounds of clinking buffers and whistles, and the view is now of flats and shopping malls. A place as alien as the surface of the Moon. To the new resident of such a canalside home the canal appears as a strip of natural water upon and along which wildlife thrives - a waterfeature par excellence. They might have been less enthusiastic about coal boats and the smoking chimneys that so disturb the new residents of warehouse dwellers in inner city basins. The new intolerance of people for other people, living, and perhaps working a different lifestyle to their own in 'their' new back yard, is a symptom of the modern world. All created by the need to recreate an outlook from a glossy property developers portfolio, 'Nature' magazine, or holiday brochure. Good riddance to smoke, smells, and noisy workmen's banter. It's as though what had been before, never existed. It is the intolerance born of ignorance that leaves us with insanity, a loss of logic - and amongst those who remember - a craving for the past. Derek

Well that's right. Daft to make judgments on a photo, and I suppose it was made a bit tongue in cheek. From what I was led to believe, Tycho had it's stern tube bearing replaced more recently. But I have no hard evidence that it was so. Having a shaft bearing support half way along and mounted to a hefty bracket fixed to the bottom plates can bring alignment problems when on dock. A lot depends on the placing of bostocks, and the shape of the bottom (Tycho's not flat). Afloat there should be perfect alignment, but on dock the bottom was pushed up (bed'ole wouldn't close), consequently the shafting was under pressure. Any adjustments made under those circumstances would be put out when refloated, and the engine had been out prior to '99 - on dock or not I do not know. But as Tim says, they have lasted seventy years, and much of that in work, so can't be bad at all. Modernboats - built for convenience of the owner's lifestyle. Nissan Micra's and 1930's Sunbeams - I know which I'd rather own and work on! Derek