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Working Boats still carrying


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Hi all

 

Many thanks for posting the pictures of Crane and for all your very kind remarks. She certainly gives us great pleasure and, with the considerable help of Dave Moore's amazing lettering and painting skills, now looks very different from when we first saw her! Really delighted to hear that others think that she looks pretty good too!

 

I think it is probably the first time that's she's been loaded for some 50 years - although I'm happy to be corrected if somebody knows otherwise! I thoroughly enjoyed the trip back to Stockton via Shackerstone, in company with Mark on Callisto, and look forward to another load sometime in the future.

 

Also pleased to confirm that the engine is, indeed, a Petter semi diesel although it's the 12/14hp model rather than the 8/10hp version. A bit smoky ? Well, yes, but we'd not been going for long that morning and it does clean up after a little while. And it is still running in after about 40 years of inactivity, including doubling as a garden planter and general weed collector for some of that time!

 

I can also confirm that Finch is still active and has a similar 12/14hp engine. They certainly aren't a common engine and I'm pretty sure that we only know of 5 remaining examples of which just 3 (I think) are runners.

 

Very interested to hear from Pete Harrison that Crane was fitted with an SR3 when the photo was taken at Old Turn. When we bought her she had an HA2 but also still had the keel cooling pipe which I think was part of a Bolinder twin installation from her Willow Wren carrying days.

 

We're still researching her history and I'm sure that much remains to be discovered. But, if anyone does has any more information about her past, I'll be very pleased to hear from you.

 

Cheers

 

Geoff

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I'd just like to point out that, by buying from John Jackson, NBT actively supports a merchant in making a living.

I'd also like to point out that most coal traders on the waterways only do it for a limited amount of time ( usually until the novelty wears off ), whereas NBT has been supplying waterside customers for forty years and will continue to do so for as long as there are members willing to do it.

 

Keith

I find your comment a little insulting. In my own case, my back told me in no uncertain terms that I could not continue. Brian and Anne-Marie, who took on Alton are doing a magnificent job and, having started at a younger age than me, look like continuing for some years to come.

 

Incidentally, I bought Alton from the NBT after she had lain unused and neglected for some time. Several years of hard work followed to bring her back to carrying condition.

 

The NBT may have been going for forty years but how many of the original members are still there, or has the novelty worn off?

 

George ex nb Alton retired

 

Edited to add Anne-Marie before I get lynched!

Edited by furnessvale
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Hi all

 

Very interested to hear from Pete Harrison that Crane was fitted with an SR3 when the photo was taken at Old Turn. When we bought her she had an HA2 but also still had the keel cooling pipe which I think was part of a Bolinder twin installation from her Willow Wren carrying days.

 

We're still researching her history and I'm sure that much remains to be discovered. But, if anyone does has any more information about her past, I'll be very pleased to hear from you.

 

Cheers

 

Geoff

I may be guilty of making an assumption about the Lister SR3. The Lister SR3 was certainly still fitted in CRANE when it was sold in mid 1992, and my feeling was the new owner spent little on the boat - so an engine change would have been unlikely. To be honest I did not know that CRANE had been fitted with a Lister HA2. Either way when the photograph was taken it was fitted with an air cooled Lister captain.gif

 

When Willow Wren Canal Carrying Company fitted the Bolinder twins they usually used the keel cooling pipe that you describe above.

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I find your comment a little insulting. In my own case, my back told me in no uncertain terms that I could not continue. Brian, who took on Alton is doing a magnificent job and, having started at a younger age than me, looks like continuing for some years to come.

 

Incidentally, I bought Alton from the NBT after she had lain unused and neglected for some time. Several years of hard work followed to bring her back to carrying condition.

 

The NBT may have been going for forty years but how many of the original members are still there, or has the novelty worn off?

 

George ex nb Alton retired

 

Yes, well said George.

 

I think the comment is unfair, given that there are traders out there who have been flogging their guts out for many years to provide a more or less non stop service to other canal users . That's largely on their own, not as an occasional member of a much larger team. Just as another example Julia Cook works tirelessly through all weathers, and even engineers ways of positioning alternative boats the other side of stoppages she knows will affect her ability to get through.

 

I know many problems have beset the NBT over the years, and I accept that things are different now from what they were in the past, but anybody who responded to appeals for money to "save these boats" will also remember the original butty Satellite, which subsequently got sold off, and cut in two.

It is interesting to see that carrying boats change roles- that is being used to carry fuel etc, but then being taken out of service.

What happened to Mountbatten is it still "working"?

 

Ray Shill

 

Ray,

 

I believe Mountbatten and Jellicoe have recently actually changed hands at last.

 

I don't know the details, (perhaps someone else does), but did hear the intention was to get back into trading.

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I'd also like to point out that most coal traders on the waterways only do it for a limited amount of time ( usually until the novelty wears off ), whereas NBT has been supplying waterside customers for forty years and will continue to do so for as long as there are members willing to do it.

 

I agree with Furnessvale and Alan that that is a rather unfair comment. It's rather easier to do when it is done as a hobby with unpaid crew and with a certain amount of outside funding. I'm surprised that anyone can make a proper living just by selling retail coal, though obviously there are those who do it.

 

We did it ourselves as part of our business, loading in bulk, bagging and weighing too. But there were far fewer boat dwellers around back then and much of our trade was to people on the bank. We delivered bulk coal to all the Thames lock keepers, and to people living in villages where there were convenient wharves to do so. Clean air Acts gradually changed the way people kept houses warm; we had to find alternative traffics.

 

Tam

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Of course, this is how coal should be carried by canal boat, and it's less of a problem for the boatman's back:

gallery_6938_2_11498.jpg

That kind of thing is how Collingwood ended up with its Blue Tops rather than the metal hoop and canvas cloths it had originally. On delivering coal to a Birmingham power station it was found that the grab would not fit in the hold due to the fixings for the hoops being in the way so the morning was spent breaking them off in order for the boat to be unloaded.

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Our boat "Barnet" has unbroken service record of carrying and maintenance work. Apart from dockings and rebuilds she has never been out of service.

The latest job we have quoted for (at cost) to CRT is the removal of spoil from Coseley cutting whre the collapse has occurred. Sadly I learnt this morning that we wont be doing the job as "CRT employees and volunteers" will not be used, the work will be with a specialist contractor". Since the formation of CRT we have done little if any really significant work and do wonder what is the point of remaining active.

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Our boat "Barnet" has unbroken service record of carrying and maintenance work. Apart from dockings and rebuilds she has never been out of service.The latest job we have quoted for (at cost) to CRT is the removal of spoil from Coseley cutting whre the collapse has occurred. Sadly I learnt this morning that we wont be doing the job as "CRT employees and volunteers" will not be used, the work will be with a specialist contractor". Since the formation of CRT we have done little if any really significant work and do wonder what is the point of remaining active.

Because people like me love to see working boats working.

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I find your comment a little insulting. In my own case, my back told me in no uncertain terms that I could not continue. Brian and Anne-Marie, who took on Alton are doing a magnificent job and, having started at a younger age than me, look like continuing for some years to come.

 

Incidentally, I bought Alton from the NBT after she had lain unused and neglected for some time. Several years of hard work followed to bring her back to carrying condition.

 

The NBT may have been going for forty years but how many of the original members are still there, or has the novelty worn off?

 

George ex nb Alton retired

 

Edited to add Anne-Marie before I get lynched!

No intention of insulting anybody and I did say ''usually''. I'm fully aware of the circumstances of your purchase of Alton, we did in fact meet at the time of your viewing.

 

Unfortunately, there will always be someone who will take offence, no matter how carefully one words what one is trying to say, but that is their choice.

 

None of the original members go coal boating with NBT, not because the novelty wore off, but because they are, mostly, octogenarians or older or have passed on.

 

NBT has a customer base that it has built up over all those years and the vast majority of them buy their fuel from us because they like to support the Trust. During those years other coal boat operators have come and gone who have tried ( with some success ) to pinch our customers, even to the extent of pretending to be NBT. Thankfully, the novelty did wear off with of all those people.

 

Keith

 

Keith

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As the new owner of gosty hill im unsure of what im going to do with it . Besides clean it up and bring it back to its former glory however its looking likely i may return as a trading boat depending on various factors so you will most likely see it loaded once more

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As the new owner of gosty hill im unsure of what im going to do with it . Besides clean it up and bring it back to its former glory however its looking likely i may return as a trading boat depending on various factors so you will most likely see it loaded once more

That's good to hear. Are you thinking of putting the boat back on its old round?

Edited by junior
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in all honesty im not sure i want to primerilly clean the boat back up and enjoy it there are other boats on its old round so im not sure. Im not wanting to upset others just enjoy the boat and maybe earn a few pennies to live along the way.

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I would say there is often not a great deal to choose between a loaded and and unloaded motor.

 

 

I disagree. Rufford curently has empty diesel tanks and a lot of its ballest removed from the stern and placed at the bow, the bow has dropped about 6 inches and the counter is about 3 inches out of the water. She handles a LOT better and doesnt get stuck now. I shall let you know what she handles like when the diesel tanks are full and the ton of batteries are on board.

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It is interesting to see that carrying boats change roles- that is being used to carry fuel etc, but then being taken out of service.

What happened to Mountbatten is it still "working"?

 

Ray Shill

 

 

I agree Alan , Alton, Towcester, Calisto, Tipton and others work hard and deserve the loyalty of their customers.

 

I am sure I recently saw a picture of Mountbatten in a dry dock being restored.

Hi Ray and Tuscan

 

I hope you can excuse my laziness in replying to both your posts at once but as one half of the new owners of Mountbatten and Jellicoe I thought I had better reply!!

 

Mountbatten (and Jellicoe) are currently undergoing maintenance work and a general face lift/TLC. The dry dock photograph you may have spotted would of been during the survey.

 

We very much hope to see them carrying again in the not too distant future and I will make sure I update the forum when we have more news!

 

Hannah

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Hi Ray and Tuscan

 

I hope you can excuse my laziness in replying to both your posts at once but as one half of the new owners of Mountbatten and Jellicoe I thought I had better reply!!

 

Mountbatten (and Jellicoe) are currently undergoing maintenance work and a general face lift/TLC. The dry dock photograph you may have spotted would of been during the survey.

 

We very much hope to see them carrying again in the not too distant future and I will make sure I update the forum when we have more news!

 

Hannah

Looking forward to seeing them out and about again.
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I disagree. Rufford curently has empty diesel tanks and a lot of its ballest removed from the stern and placed at the bow, the bow has dropped about 6 inches and the counter is about 3 inches out of the water. She handles a LOT better and doesnt get stuck now. I shall let you know what she handles like when the diesel tanks are full and the ton of batteries are on board.

 

Have you been out on a windy day with it like that? (or had to stop in a hurry?)

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Tam & Di, oh yes of course :-) Wind is interesting to say the least, now that I am used to it, its not as bad. Stopping in a hurry? These boats do that??

 

Got back last night to find that my engineer had loaded the ton of batteries (around 800kg to tell the truth) under the bed at the rear (so just forward of the engine bulkhead). Counter is now just slightly above the water, and when I fill the diesel tank the counter should drop another 2/3 inches.

 

Its a good job I went for a Large Northwich, by the time I've finished with the bigger water tanks and all of my other crap is on board it may look rather like a fully loaded boat...

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Willow Wren imported four 25HP Seffles. Only three were ever fitted. Now they are in Severn (previously in Lily), Walton (previously Owl, and before that Baildon) and a modern boat, Beckwood.

Somewhere I have a list from the Seffle company listing all the British boats that fitted their engines - including the smalller 12 HP ones.

 

I'm pretty sure the engine in Crane is a Petter semi diesel.

I was only speculating re Bolinder / Seffle i was the owner of Lily at the time & assembled & fitted the Seffle , according to Dennis Clarke who I purchased the engine from/through, that particular motor was never fitted to a boat & used for spares, as it had been run up on it's pallet & the water had not been drained properly, frozen & the water jacket on the cylinder was cracked, at that time I worked for a company that did specialist repairs to cracked cylinders etc. so it was not a problem. There has for a long time been tales that 4, or 5, 25hp engines were purchased by Willow Wren, Jack Monks version was that one was run for a good period of time without draining the lubricating oil from the crankcase, ran away consuming it's lubricating oil, & BANG, this motor was returned to Sweden so that left 4 & then others as you say only 4 in all.were brought into the UK. All I know is that the one I had was in parts, with some new parts that replaced parts used on the other motors.

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One less still working.

Sorry to say with the closing down of CanalScape BCN in operational mode (see separate thread) nb "Barnet" is now de commissioned and awaiting disposal. After 78 years of service no further use could be seen for the boat via the operational group and with CRT offering no encouragement it was the only way to go. "Barnet" was the very last boat registered with a BCN plate, issued in 2011 in recognition of 75 years non stop service, a large proportion being BCN based.

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