David Schweizer Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 2 hours ago, alan_fincher said: Ah, but the person you thought it might be answered the question already back in 2010! Seems I cam't even keep my thoughts a secret. The reason I thought it might have been Tam was the hat, I seem to remember him wearing something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 7 hours ago, David Mack said: Having seen pictures of Cygnus so well turned out at Stratford in 1964 I was shocked when I first encountered her in the flesh about 10 years later, moored on the offside below Camp Hill locks and part full of rubbish. The cabin, running gear and rudder had gone, but the Willow Wren paintwork on the stern and fore end was still recognisable. I had a feeling at the time she had become one of Caggy Stevens' rubbish boats, left for weeks at a time at the back of a factory somewhere, but I can't recall now why I thought this. Can anyone confirm? I clearly remember helping 'Caggy' Stevens work CYGNUS down Farmer Bridge Locks in 1978 and at that time part of the cabin was still intact along with bits of Willow Wren paintwork. By this time BEDWORTH, BEVERLEY and BORDESLEY were all hulked and like CYGNUS were used for general rubbish transport and contracting works (floating scaffold supports under bridges and the like) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 3 hours ago, archie57 said: Beverley, Bordesley and Bedworth, on hire from BW - at least to begin with CYGNUS, BEDWORTH, BEVERLEY and BORDESLEY were hired to Stevens and Keay on 01 March 1971, and were eventually sold to Alan 'Caggy' Stevens on 04 December 1979. These four boats were then sold on to private owners in or about 1982 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted November 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 1 hour ago, David Schweizer said: Seems I cam't even keep my thoughts a secret. The reason I thought it might have been Tam was the hat, I seem to remember him wearing something similar. It wasn't unheard of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrtm Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 On 13/11/2019 at 18:40, Ray T said: Dory: Way out my price league I would believe, be a nice way for me to get a nice boat with a bolly back but I'm guessing the price is going to be quite high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenataomm Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 (edited) ".... with a full set of covers included". Will they have cut-outs for the chimbley collars and vents etc? Personally I'd prefer to have the cloths and tippet. Edited November 14, 2019 by zenataomm Had to go to the door and laugh at someone canvassing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWM Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 13/11/2019 at 10:22, alan_fincher said: I suspect, but don't know for certain, that the pair there was under the captaincy of Ray White, who I think was more or less the most senior Willow Wren boatman, and did keep the boats very smart. Whilst I'd agree that many of the boatmen kept some of the Willow Wren boats as smart as they could right to the end, with the brasses well polished, and everything in its place, the reality is that not many of them were that smart at the very end, at least in terms of paintwork and general condition. I don't think this picture of Flamingo shows a boat presented to anything like the "shiny Josher" syndrome found at ex working boat gatherings today. Note just how much less well presented Cygnus has become in the period since the photo David has posted, and also the general deteriorating condition of the back end of Flamingo's cabin and its doors. However Ron and Janet Withey have still kept the brasses as they should be. (Oh, and if anybody says the mop handle should always be left resting on the cans....) Droopy fenders too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrtm Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 How are they going to get threw? Its blocked by those big gates, what trickery is this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dav and Pen Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 (edited) On 13/11/2019 at 10:01, David Schweizer said: I can confirm that’s it’s George and Helen,saw her in Waitrose this afternoon. They did 3 loads through Ashby Canal Transport. Robin Hewitt owned the boat at the time and he was very keen to be part of effort to keep some canal carrying. Steerer of Petrel Made a bit of a mess of that post, I tried to put the picture in the quote but failed. Edited November 15, 2019 by Dav and Pen Information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Schweizer Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Dav and Pen said: Made a bit of a mess of that post, I tried to put the picture in the quote but failed. I assume that you meant to post this picture and my text:- And Another well turned out boat - Union Canal Carriers "Petrel" taken in 1971. Note the shiny brass despite the inclement weather. I may be wrong, but I believe a forum member may recognise himself steering. Followed by your post :- " I can confirm that’s it’s George and Helen,saw her in Waitrose this afternoon. They did 3 loads through Ashby Canal Transport. Robin Hewitt owned the boat at the time and he was very keen to be part of effort to keep some canal carrying. Steerer of Petrel" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 (edited) Recently advertised at £60K but now £30k - ELIZABETH https://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/narrow-boats-traditional/625780 edit = to make link work properly Edited November 29, 2019 by pete harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 This old Josher went onto Apollo Duck 5 days ago and has not been mentioned yet - DORY https://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/fellows-morton-clayton-70-traditional/625269 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrtm Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 34 minutes ago, pete harrison said: Recently advertised at £60K but now £30k - ELIZABETH https://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/narrow-boats-traditional/625780 edit = to make link work properly Wow that's a steal in my opp, if they would take towy as part ex I would happily but I dowt they would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 35 minutes ago, pete harrison said: This old Josher went onto Apollo Duck 5 days ago and has not been mentioned yet - DORY https://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/fellows-morton-clayton-70-traditional/625269 You missed 7451 Pete!!! Oops, 7251... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 3 minutes ago, billybobbooth said: Wow that's a steal in my opp, if they would take towy as part ex I would happily but I dowt they would Unfortunately I think ELIZABETH might be subject to an acquired taste, although it undoubtedly has an interesting history. I can see it being bought as an asset stripping project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Schweizer Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 (edited) 44 minutes ago, pete harrison said: Recently advertised at £60K but now £30k - ELIZABETH https://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/narrow-boats-traditional/625780 edit = to make link work properly Isn't that Jim McDionald's boat? I remember it visiting Braunston back in 1997, and mooring next to our boat. Edited November 29, 2019 by David Schweizer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrtm Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Just now, pete harrison said: Unfortunately I think ELIZABETH might be subject to an acquired taste, although it undoubtedly has an interesting history. I can see it being bought as an asset stripping project Why I like it it's so indervidual. Must be close to one of the first working boats to be converted for pleasure / holiday style, if not cant be far off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 3 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said: You missed 7451 Pete!!! Oops, 7251... Oops, but at least there is now a visible link to the Apollo Duck advert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrtm Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, David Schweizer said: Isn't that Jim McDionald's boat? I rember it mooring next to Helvetia at Braunston back in 1998. Think so, I can see at that price it ending up as a live aboard, I did show it to my wife at easter dont think she was sold mostly as she knew I wouldn't give up towy easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frangar Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 4 minutes ago, pete harrison said: Unfortunately I think ELIZABETH might be subject to an acquired taste, although it undoubtedly has an interesting history. I can see it being bought as an asset stripping project I really hope it’s kept as it is. There’s a lot of history there. It deserves a new loving home that will care for it as Jim has done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Brightley Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 49 minutes ago, billybobbooth said: Why I like it it's so indervidual. Must be close to one of the first working boats to be converted for pleasure / holiday style, if not cant be far off Yes- Elizabeth is almost certainly the oldest surviving pleasure boat conversion (1936). Also one of the last boats to cruise the Grantham Canal before it was closed. Seems to be a bargain at £30k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boater Sam Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 Sadly Jim has had to give up boating, his eyesight is letting him down. A great shame he has to sell such an historic lovely boat, I do hope it finds a good home and does not become another Thames whitewash sinking wreck "apartment". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek R. Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 (edited) Unless you are reading by Braille, of course it's Jim's boat!! Where have you been David?? ? Boated along with Jim several times, and supped mulled wine in that saloon (and some home made fruit wines - deadly delicious!) on cold winter evenings when rallying - and a little home made music as well. ELIZABETH has to be stepped into to really appreciate the ambience. Pictures and descriptions from a boatyard cannot do justice to a legend - Man and boat together for half a Century. Certainly an idiosyncratic craft, a one-off, but a pure treasure, a sanctuary to another time. Sadly that may be something which prospective buyers can be put off by. Looking isn't enough, she needs visiting, with the stove lit. She is a boat full of memories of course, but only to those who have been familiar with Jim, and the boat. What tales could be told. Edited November 30, 2019 by Derek R. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 I've seen Elizabeth a time or two and she is a most striking and distinctive craft. Perhaps the fact that she's "different" has deterred potential buyers - but at that price, if she is sound, she looks like a real Black Friday bargain for the right person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland elsdon Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 10 hours ago, pete harrison said: Unfortunately I think ELIZABETH might be subject to an acquired taste, although it undoubtedly has an interesting history. I can see it being bought as an asset stripping project Oh I hope not. Spent a few happy hours on her in the 80s to 2000s. Very individual boat. Remember getting a message once from Jim saying he was somewhere ludicrous I think Basel. I remember the pride in putting in the engine. Piano and canal based water filtration system. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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