The May Queen

[CanalWalker]

 

A video of my Grandads boat The May Queen being launched at Scarisbrick.

[Derek R.]

Looks like the inside got Christened in the process. Would liked to have seen that bit.

[carlt]

What a gorgeous boat!

 

It is such a shame that boats of that quality and beauty are not built, for the inland waterways, anymore (save for a mere handful of specialist builders, on the Thames).

 

We have just settled for soulless mediocrity.

 

Is she still around?

[1066]

Mmm .... they certainly cocked that up nicely.

[charles123]

Any more info available on the boat? Interesting to watch the video, includes Preston Brook tunel

 

Charles

[CanalWalker]

I think the boat had been out of the water a while and dried out, hence the bailing out on the next visit.

[Albatross]

I think the boat had been out of the water a while and dried out, hence the bailing out on the next visit.

 

The May Queen was purchased from working as trip boat on Windermere, in 1962.

We had a local man build a new cabin over the front cockpit, and then transported to Scarisbrick. The slip way at the time was not below the canal waterline and so it was a bit like launching over the bank.

As canalwalker says she had been out of the water longer than we knew and had dried out. Just after that we had the very had winter of '62-'63 before the engine could be drained of water which cracked the block. It was an old American Kermath engine, maybe the boat had been a steamer before that.

We had a MG 1500 engine fitted, with the car gearbox, running in third, normally. reverse was very under geared. She served us well for a number od seasons until my dad, canalwalkers grand dad, became unwell and we sold her.

 

Would be interested if anyone knows about her since then

[bargemast]

Absolutely gorgeous lines, a real beauty, hope she's still alive and in good nick owned by someone with hard for an old girl like this.

 

Peter.

[andywatson]

What a gorgeous boat!

 

It is such a shame that boats of that quality and beauty are not built, for the inland waterways, anymore (save for a mere handful of specialist builders, on the Thames).

 

We have just settled for soulless mediocrity.

 

Is she still around?

 

Mill's dockyard were building a very elegant wooden motorboat a couple of years ago when I called there.

IIRC it was being built on spec to be sold when finished.

[carlt]

Mill's dockyard were building a very elegant wooden motorboat a couple of years ago when I called there.

IIRC it was being built on spec to be sold when finished.

Yes indeed.

 

Mills build, and restore, some beautiful boats.

 

One of the few dry docks that welcomes wooden boats for long term diy restorations, too.

[Max Sinclair]

Lovely boats are still being built in many yards around the country, have a look at Classic Boat magazine. On the canal Nielsens Dock in Gloucester are producing superb craft.Peter Freebody on the Thames for river craft will make you droole.Just win the lottery and enjoy.

[Max Sinclair]

The May Queen was purchased from working as trip boat on Windermere, in 1962.

We had a local man build a new cabin over the front cockpit, and then transported to Scarisbrick. The slip way at the time was not below the canal waterline and so it was a bit like launching over the bank.

As canalwalker says she had been out of the water longer than we knew and had dried out. Just after that we had the very had winter of '62-'63 before the engine could be drained of water which cracked the block. It was an old American Kermath engine, maybe the boat had been a steamer before that.

We had a MG 1500 engine fitted, with the car gearbox, running in third, normally. reverse was very under geared. She served us well for a number od seasons until my dad, canalwalkers grand dad, became unwell and we sold her.

 

Would be interested if anyone knows about her since then

Diglis Basin, Worcester had a short arm with an overhead crane equipped with canvas slings. Victorian and Edwardian boat owners could launch their boats in the Spring and they were hung in the water for a few days until leaks stopped as the timbers swelled.

My Uncle Bob must have been one of the last to use it in the 1950's.

[Guest User]

Lovely boats are still being built in many yards around the country, have a look at Classic Boat magazine. On the canal Nielsens Dock in Gloucester are producing superb craft.Peter Freebody on the Thames for river craft will make you droole.Just win the lottery and enjoy.

 

... sadly ... http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=35355&view=findpost&p=631803