Paul H Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 I spotted this strange boat at Calcutt on the Grand Union in May 1981. Always wondered what it was and where it had come from but have left it rather a long time to ask! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 Are those openings at the top marked "clear glass", "brown glass" and "green glass", and the tall structure "general waste"? In 1981, perhaps not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Narrowboats Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 Whatever it is (a Bird class push tug on steroids?), it has the look of Gloucester Repair Yard about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckbyLocks Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 Remember asking about this myself when we passed it in the 80s. I think someone suggested it was a generator for use with pumps. Obviously on a wide waterway like the Weaver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorlan Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) It's still at Calcutt, minus the handrails, the top and the 'shed'! Edited November 20, 2018 by Dorlan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie57 Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 EX - Manchester ship canal I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 2 hours ago, Athy said: Are those openings at the top marked "clear glass", "brown glass" and "green glass", and the tall structure "general waste"? You need a lot of bottle to make comments like that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X Alan W Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 I seem to remember a similar in appearance to that "tug"used to accompany the dredger on the Weaver late 60's early 70's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIJF Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 The mystery barge was a Manchester Ship Canal maintenance Unit fitted with Gardner 4LK Propulsion engine,a Perkins P6 welding generator coupled to a Lincoln welding unit and a 3 Phase generator driven by another Gardner, I think another 4LK, The two Gardners were sold to Tony Redshaw ( Vintage Marine Diesels) The Barge was used in the construction of (The Locks) marina at Calcutt for several years and came on Road Transport from Manchester Docks to Calcutt and wsas offloaded by Barry Tuckey wit his Coles 30 ton crane (verty near the LImit) it was used By various contractors to refubish railway bridges during the winter,before the engines were removed and it became a landing stage for winter moorings of the Calcutt hire fleet It had Lignum Vitae Planks on board which have been used in several traditional seaboat Stern Tubes and Bearings for Church Bells 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Welcome to CWDF, and thanks for that detailed information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted November 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Yes thank you for clearing up a long running mystery. The blue paintwork confused me into thinking it was on BW maintenance. Now we know! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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