An LMS Tug at Etruria

[Heartland]

In Peter Lead's book on the Trent & Mersey Canal, there is  a photo of an experimental tug for ice breaking.

 

The image is from the H C James Collection and it is just possible to make out the "L" on the side of the cabin. As there is a reference in the Waterways Archive (CRT) for a design for a LMS combined icebreaker and tug this image would appear to suggest that the boat was built and used. This was at the time, it seems of Government Control during the war. 

 

The question is what happened to it?

 

 

[furnessvale]

On 12/07/2020 at 12:54, Heartland said:

In Peter Lead's book on the Trent & Mersey Canal, there is  a photo of an experimental tug for ice breaking.

 

The image is from the H C James Collection and it is just possible to make out the "L" on the side of the cabin. As there is a reference in the Waterways Archive (CRT) for a design for a LMS combined icebreaker and tug this image would appear to suggest that the boat was built and used. This was at the time, it seems of Government Control during the war. 

 

The question is what happened to it?

 

 

It isn't Sandbach or Beeston, which were built in 1946 with wheelhouse steering.

 

Could it perhaps be ROAMA?

[Paul H]

Yes I think it is the Roama/Roamer/ Tug No 1 built by Yarwoods in timber in 1938/39 with a Russell Newberry  It survived until fairly recently but Now seems to have disappeared although there are confusingly two steel replicas which often get mistaken for it.

 

Paul

 

 

 

The above pics show the original tug, the first not long after it was built and the second in preservation in  the 80s or 90s when visiting Ellesmere Port.

Edited July 13, 2020 by Paul H

[Heartland]

Yes, It does look like the tug at Etruria

 

Is there a history of this craft?

 

 

[Heartland]

Also, according to HECLA the craft SANDBACH & BEESTON were built for the Shropshire Union in LMS days

 

The BCN co BIRD was also a wheehouse steering boat, as was NANSEN II (originally)

 

According to Clive Guthries list 1999 for Yarwoods, ROAMER was built for the LMS in 1999

Edited July 15, 2020 by Heartland

[agg221]

For reference (as quite a few people appear to be looking for it) the original Roama still exists. It is under long term restoration by a friend of mine, and is sat in my back garden which is why nobody has seen it lately. For reference, the BCN ice boat North Star (renamed Samson) is also sat in my back garden.

 

Alec

[Mike Tee]

Beats flowers, and you don't have to cut the grass!

[Heartland]

It is nice to know that the craft still exists.

[zenataomm]

On 15/07/2020 at 10:22, Heartland said:

According to Clive Guthries list 1999 for Yarwoods, ROAMER was built for the LMS in 1999

 

22 years ago?

[Athy]

13 minutes ago, zenataomm said:

 

22 years ago?

No, that's the plate thickness. Very robustly built, those icebreakers were.

[agg221]

Just now, Athy said:

No, that's the plate thickness. Very robustly built, those icebreakers were.

Roama is wooden...

 

Alec

[Hudds Lad]

Oooooo, i’ve seen one of those, August this year between Atherstone and Polesworth

 

 

[Athy]

55 minutes ago, agg221 said:

Roama is wooden...

 

Alec

Tee-hee.

[agg221]

On 15/07/2020 at 10:22, Heartland said:

Also, according to HECLA the craft SANDBACH & BEESTON were built for the Shropshire Union in LMS days

 

The BCN co BIRD was also a wheehouse steering boat, as was NANSEN II (originally)

 

According to Clive Guthries list 1999 for Yarwoods, ROAMER was built for the LMS in 1999

The plans of Byrd still exist, as do the descriptions of the engine trials. It's Byrd after Richard Byrd the polar explorer. All the BCN iceboats and icebreaking tugs had names associated with something cold - a location, population or explorer. Nansen II was the replacement for the wooden Nansen which was broken up. Fridtjof Nansen, another polar explorer.

 

Full list of the BCN iceboats and icebreaking tugs at:

 

https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/112527-bcn-iceboats/

 

Alec

[Stroudwater1]

On 25/09/2021 at 16:22, Hudds Lad said:

Oooooo, i’ve seen one of those, August this year between Atherstone and Polesworth

 

 

Interesting, the black edging has been painted out in the last couple of weeks. This from 12th September I must admit given the slack line I didn’t think moved when we passed another boat I had thought she had sunk 😕Looks like someone’s working on her. 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Stroudwater1

[noddyboater]

I spoke to the owner as I passed last weekend. It's sat firmly on the bottom but not because it's sunk! 

[zenataomm]

Nor has the owl moved.

[Hudds Lad]

1 minute ago, zenataomm said:

Nor has the owl moved.

It was waiting for it’s battery delivery

[Bee]

Crumbs! Its got a massive cat living in it. Look at the size of the catflap in the front bulkhead!

[Nightwatch]

The boat astern must be owned by a Portsmouth supporter.

 

Play up Pompey, Pompey play up! they sing at matches. Funnily enough sounds like it is chanted in a northern accent. 

[Stroudwater1]

2 hours ago, Nightwatch said:

The boat astern must be owned by a Portsmouth supporter.

 

Play up Pompey, Pompey play up! they sing at matches. Funnily enough sounds like it is chanted in a northern accent. 

 

Its also got a celebratory FA cup winners 2008 motif on the side, its Portsmouth FC through and through. I nearly snapped it as well but I just couldn't bring myself to😃 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Stroudwater1

[noddyboater]

9 hours ago, Bee said:

Crumbs! Its got a massive cat living in it. Look at the size of the catflap in the front bulkhead!

That's actually a normal size catflap. The boat really is that small. 

[Derek R.]

It does remind be of a birds beak. Not a boat for the river.

 

Even the diminutive MAYFLOWER at 6' beam looks larger. I seem to recall it had a water cooled Lister(?) complete with radiator in the front end. Tied at 'The Ship' shop Maffers, early eighties.

 

[Stroudwater1]

Passed another Roama the other day moored  at Barbridge. 
 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2022 by Stroudwater1

[noddyboater]

Isn't that the original one?   Wooden,  formerly bolinder pup powered. Or is that a copy of the original one, and the other one is a copy of that..