Foggy66 Posted September 22, 2023 Report Posted September 22, 2023 Can anyone shed any light on this boat I spotted whilst out walking today https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e1t0ef0At0kuUOgROSP_vBFA
magnetman Posted September 22, 2023 Report Posted September 22, 2023 Looks like a BCN hotholer or station boat. Matty was an operator of commercial narrow boats in Birmingham I believe . Your pictures :
MtB Posted September 22, 2023 Report Posted September 22, 2023 'Ot'oler seems more probable. Weren't the station boats all horse boats, not motors?
magnetman Posted September 22, 2023 Report Posted September 22, 2023 I'm not sure but a lot of the station boats were cut and converted to motors later.
David Mack Posted September 22, 2023 Report Posted September 22, 2023 Its Ben. Built as a motor by Harris Brothers in 1934. Was in T&S Element's livery for a number of years, but has recently been painted in a version of Matty's livery (although my recollection is that the Matty boats were painted more of a primrose yellow than the bright yellow here). According to the link below Ben was never owned by Mattys, although it worked alongside their boats on the Oldbury phosphorous waste run for a while. https://hnbc.org.uk/boats/ben 1
Derek R. Posted September 23, 2023 Report Posted September 23, 2023 Begging his pardon as I have forgotten whose image this is: Shades of fading yellow 'OXFORD No.1 with TYCHO behind.
zenataomm Posted September 23, 2023 Report Posted September 23, 2023 Ben, Shaun (Late) & Jackie Lloyd's old boat. Lovely people.
agg221 Posted September 23, 2023 Report Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) Recently bought after many years in the Smedleys' ownership. The cabin was very tatty and the new owner needed to get a quick coat of paint on it. He is well aware it was never a Matty's boat, but that was the quickest and easiest colour scheme to go for until he gets the cabin sorted out properly. Alec Edited September 23, 2023 by agg221 3
zenataomm Posted September 24, 2023 Report Posted September 24, 2023 The Lloyds de-cabined Ben mid 80s. They ran a saw around at gunnel level, put her in a lock with scaffold poles through the windows, then emptied the lock. A mere week or two later she was loaded with scrap glass bound for a recycling plant in London. I remember Shaun saying she was stubbed at the base of the stem due to years of ramming the cill when loaded.
alan_fincher Posted September 25, 2023 Report Posted September 25, 2023 Am I correct in thinking this attended the Braunston show this year, (or have I invented that)? I feel sure I have seen it somewhere.
David Mack Posted September 25, 2023 Report Posted September 25, 2023 22 minutes ago, alan_fincher said: Am I correct in thinking this attended the Braunston show this year, (or have I invented that)? I feel sure I have seen it somewhere. Yes it did. But with the new paint job and the removal of the bow cabin I didn't immediately recognise it!
Morris Posted September 26, 2023 Report Posted September 26, 2023 Please forgive my ignorance and slightly off topic request but would someone be able to fill in the details regarding Alfred Matty's please, like the size of the company and when it was operational?
ditchcrawler Posted September 26, 2023 Report Posted September 26, 2023 5 hours ago, Morris said: Please forgive my ignorance and slightly off topic request but would someone be able to fill in the details regarding Alfred Matty's please, like the size of the company and when it was operational? If you follow some of the links on this page it will start to put the picture together for you Alfred Matty & Sons Ltd, were Canal Carriers - Google Search
Heartland Posted September 26, 2023 Report Posted September 26, 2023 Matty's yard was at Coseley not far from the the Boat PH. His various craft were coloured yellow Some of the above images show the yard.
ditchcrawler Posted September 26, 2023 Report Posted September 26, 2023 5 minutes ago, Heartland said: Matty's yard was at Coseley not far from the the Boat PH. His various craft were coloured yellow Some of the above images show the yard. Must admit I always wondered what was ar the crane yard, it always looked a good spot for putting boats in the water, I didn't realise it use to be their yard 6 minutes ago, Heartland said: Matty's yard was at Coseley not far from the the Boat PH. His various craft were coloured yellow Some of the above images show the yard.
dave moore Posted September 26, 2023 Report Posted September 26, 2023 Boatbuilder Dave Harris was based there for some years as well. The site is now occupied by a crane hire company.
John Brightley Posted September 26, 2023 Report Posted September 26, 2023 Alfred Matty & Sons Ltd is still technically an active company, with its directors being two members of the Proud family who are also directors of the crane hire firm Dewsbury and Proud.
Ogwr Posted September 27, 2023 Report Posted September 27, 2023 Waltom's built their wooden hulled boats there in 60/70's Some for private owners and also Shropshire Union Cruisers (John Stothert) at Norbury.
ditchcrawler Posted September 27, 2023 Report Posted September 27, 2023 11 minutes ago, junior said: At Dutton now braving the rain. They will be OK once in the tunnel
angelasoldman Posted September 28, 2023 Report Posted September 28, 2023 Marty's yard was in Biddings Lane Coseley now occupied by Dewsbury and Proud. Prior to that they were in Willenhall. Marty's boats were used in the Phosphorus waste contract for Albright and Wilson. Google 's hat lies beneath the rattlesnake lagoon' for more info - a fascinating read ! Matty's sorry. 'What lies beneath the rattlesnake lagoon' sorry Rattlechain lagoon - bloody predictive text !
ditchcrawler Posted September 29, 2023 Report Posted September 29, 2023 (edited) On 22/09/2023 at 22:23, Foggy66 said: Can anyone shed any light on this boat I spotted whilst out walking today https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e1t0ef0At0kuUOgROSP_vBFA If you do Facebook this may interest you, an Matty boat in 1983 Facebook or Love the Birmingham Canal Navigations, clean it and cruise it!! | Facebook Edited September 29, 2023 by ditchcrawler
Derek R. Posted September 30, 2023 Report Posted September 30, 2023 Some cracking shots on that Facebook page. Can't believe the amount of azolla growing. Combatting azolla: https://www.cabi.org/projects/azolla-control/
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