BCN Carriers

B.C.N Carriers

The Birmingham Canal Navigations developed in the period from 1770 to 1840, and both developed and served the growing industrial area of Birmingham and the Black Country. As well as offering a through route from North to South via Birmingham, the system of canals eventually totalling over 160 miles, and consisted mostly of short haul traffic, connecting industry with essential supplies, and easy transport for the products. The boats built to transport the goods on the BCN, numbered in the thousands, with boat builders constructing and repairing, in the hundreds.

Day Boats, or Joey Boats

The most common type of boat to be found on the BCN, and made initially of wood, and later iron, with an exception being Bantock boats; composite with a wooden lower side plank as well. They were 70ft in length by 7ft beam, pointed ends much the same, with generally vertical stem and stern posts. Many of the boats were double ended; in that the rudder could be hung at either end to save turning; indeed many of the arms and basins could only be entered from one direction, as the canal width prevented turning in many instances. The boats were either completely open, or had small cabins at the stern end, with a sharp angle of tumblehome to the cabin sides.

.........................Stewarts & Lloyds day boats at Coombes Wood, 1976

Construction; wooden boats.

Wooden day boats were built of pine, deal or larch, side planks of 2" thickness, and bottoms of 3". Planks were either 9" wide or 12" , giving 4 or 5 planks to the boat side, and a depth of around 4ft. Side planks were spiked to large knees, at 3ft spacings and these in turn were spiked to the bottom planks. A keelson joined up all the bottom planks to prevent vertical movement, and the width of the boat at gunwale level was held by beams dovetailed into the gunwale. Side planks were scarf jointed, and always spaced apart to prevent weakness. At each end of the boat, 3 extra guard boards were added; one at waterline in oak, one mid way in elm, and another oak board on the second plank down. Iron guards at both ends protected the woodwork from the inevitable rough handling these boats received. Cabins were constructed in deal boarding, were 5ft 6" long, with a headroom of 5ft 3". The sharp tumblehome was necessary to pass through the many small entrances to basins off the main canal. Inside the cabin, a bottle stove was on the left, and a bench on the right and across the cabin bulkhead. As the traffics on the BCN was short haul, the day boats were never intended to be slept in, hence the small size.

Iron boats from 1860.

Construction.

Lowesmoor iron, in small plate sizes made up the hull sides and boat bottom, being rivetted together. The sides were joined to the bottom with a chine angle, on the inside of the plates. Knees added strength between the sides and bottom consisting of OMEGA pattern rolled iron. An angle similar to the chine angle formed the gunwale, with an additional guard iron rivetted on top. Beams made from plate and angle (3 of) kept the boat to width, and guards of OMEGA pattern were rivetted to the outside bends of the boat. If the boat was single ended, plates would overlap to trail in the forward direction.

.......Iron day boats in use at Stewarts & Lloyds, Halesowen.

A small deck was positioned at each end of the boat, and BCN gauging plates fixed under the gunwale on the Starboard side. The many different shapes of iron day boats, came from the numerous builders of these craft on the BCN canal system.

Ernest Thomas day boat BIRCHILLS at the B.C.L.Museum.

BIRCHILLS

Currently perhaps the best known example of a BCN Joey boat is the BIRCHILLS built by Ernest Thomas at Walsall in 1952. The boat is a single ended cabined boat. Note the wooden headstock to the right of the rudder, for tying to a following boat when in a train behind a tug. The rudders usually had the owning company's initials carved into the stock to deter theft. The bar that folds across the back doors had an angle that projected into the cabin where a padlock could be fitted; locked from the outside through a hole in the woodwork, but the padlock being on the cabin inside.

Ice breakers.

Ice Boats.

ANTARTIC; Iron Ice boat dating from the 1830's.

BALTIC; Iron ice boat; Operated by BCN in their No 4 district. Sold by BWB in early 1970s. Motorised and converted in 1977 /8.at Pitstone Wharf.

PELICAN; Wooden Ice boat, One of two wooden ice boats built in 1911 for the Coventry Canal Company. Converted to a powered craft in the mid 1950s and had a counter fitted in 1958 at Charity Dock. In 1971 suffered a gas explosion and sank. She was rescued and restored. Bought by present owners in 1999 again in need of major restoration which is ongoing. She is now powered by a 1937 Bolinder LDW engine.

PEARIE; Wooden Ice boat.

ROSS; Wooden Ice Boat Originally horse drawn, then tractor hauled ( sometimes both! see Photo). The only one of the 5 out of 6 boats of this type that survive to not have been motorised. Much restored.

BCN Tugs.

Tugs started to appear in the 1910's when diesel engines suited to marine use became available. Most of these early engines were two stroke, lamp start semi diesels; one or two cylinders. Economically, tugs made sense, in that 4 or 5 loaded boats could be pulled at a time, and even more empty boats back to the coalfields. The essential features of the BCN tug were; approximately 50ft in length; a tug deck in front of the cabin; large cabin for the engine and crew daytime accommodation; a large counter with two substantial towing studs; deep draughted to swing a large propeller; and very little decoration or polished brass. Tugs were of both wooden and iron construction.

Stevens & Keay tug JUDITH ANN at Ryders Green, in 1976.

As well as new tugs being built by local boatyards such as W.Harris of Netherton, and Worsey's of Walsall; many tugs were made from long distance narrowboats cut down in length to suit. A good number of Ex FMC boats became tugs; both motor and butty conversions. Also, some Ex GUCC boats were also converted by W.Harris for Stewarts & Lloyds of Coombeswood, Halesowen. The real BCN tugs were built for work, and work they did; the modern tugs built for pleasure today bear little resemblance to these work horses of the past.

ATLANTIC; BCN tug built by W. Harris of Netherton. 40ft long with ice breaking bows, and constructed for Yates Bros. Sold by BW in 1978 at auction, to Alfred Matty of Coseley. Sold by Matty's in 1983. Re cabined in steel, and now fitted with a Lister JP3. Based at Aylesbury. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

ATLANTIC No 3 and Leonard Leigh tug, JAMES LOADER.

Boat names in RED are extant.

APOLLO; Ex Midlands & Coast motorboat. 1929 John Crichton, Saltney Ferry, Chester, composite butty. BCN gauging 1490, 15/5/1929. Length 70ft 10". Converted to motor-boat 1936 and fitted with an 18hp Petter. Became FMC No 349, regd at Wolverhampton No 1147. Sold to E.Thomas; fitted with a petrol/paraffin TVO engine. Now based in the North East as a shortened trip boat.

BIRCHILLS; Ex FMC butty boat named KINGSTOWN; No 278. Re-named KERRY in the early 1920's. Shortened for tugging by Ernest Thomas, and re-named BIRCHILLS. At the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port.

BITTEL; Ex Stewart & Lloyds tug Photo

CAGGY; Built in 1945 by W Harris of Netherton for J Foulkes of Wednesfield. Rivetted iron construction. Powered by a Lister JP3, and currently March 2001 semi derelict at Bumblehole, Netherton. Owned throughout it's life by the late Mr Alan, "CAGGY" Stevens. Photo

CHRISTOPHER JAMES; Built for Leonard Leigh Ltd; Wooden tug by L. Alan & Sons at Spencer Abbots Dock, Saltley. Elm bottoms with Oak sides. Worked commercially until 1965; and powered by an Armstrong Siddeley AS3 Diesel.

CROWN; Ex Midlands & Coast THE NORTH; 1926 Yarwoods built composite butty. BCN gauging No 1136, 16/2/1926. Converted to 44ft tug, Harris's, in 1937, renamed CROWN. Fitted with a 30hp Petter semi diesel. Sold to Hingley's in 1937. Rebuilt at Norton Canes, and now named LION. Converted, and now 70ft in length, based at Braunston. This boat was re-built of very thick iron, and was not a success as a tug.

DOT No 4; Ernest Thomas Tug. Ex APOLLO FMC Sold to E. Thomas of Walsall in 1946 . Became DOT No. 4 in 1951, having been shortened to 56' and regauged using same BCN no. on 10. 1. 1951, a Fordson engine having been installed. Sold into private ownership in 1970. Ailsa Craig RL 2 , 20 hp engine fitted in 1970, changed to a Ford 4D , 57 hp one in 1973 and then again in 1974 to the current Lister HR W2MGR2 , 29 hp diesel. Re-lengthened and restored. DOT No 4

EARLYBIRD; BCN tug. Built for Yates Bros by Harris's of Netherton. EARLYBIRD

ENTERPRISE; originally the FMC steamer, COUNT; 1899, Saltley composite. Regd BHM 1036. Converted to motorboat 1925. Shortened for tugging on the BCN; sold to Ernest Thomas, re-named ENTERPRISE. Now privately owned, and powered by a Gardner 5L2. Twin tandem steam engine, coke fired. 1925 converted to a motor boat, fitted with a 15hp Bolinder. BCN gauging No 1162, 23/4/1926. Length 71ft 2". 1944, sunk by bombing in Birmingham, and sold in 1945 to Ernest Thomas of Walsall. Shortened to 52ft for tugging on the BCN. Engine, Gardner 5L2 Diesel, from 1931 Pagefield Paladin lorry, Reg JJ950. Parsons gearbox, driving prop 35"x25" via a 2:1 reduction.. Main use tugging; pulling day boats from Cannock to Birchills Power Station, Walsall. Became semi-derelict after 1960, and purchased by the present owners in 1973. Maintained in working tug condition. At Crick in May 2000 with BCN day boat BHP No2. Photo

HELEN; Iron rivetted tug by W. Harris of Netherton. Orginally built for and owned by Oldbury coal merchants Joseph Holloway's.
Ownership transferred to Leonard Leigh when Holloway's transferred their contract with Oldbury Tube makers Accles and Pollock.
Still powered by the original 3 cylinder Bolinder full Diesel engine, (1053). Used as tug for Caldon Canal trip boat BIRDSWOOD, in the 1980s. Lengthened by 8 ft by Five Towns Boatbuilding late 1980's at Stone. Photo

Leonard Leigh tugs CHRISTOPHER JAMES and JAMES LOADER.

HURRICANE; BCN tug. Built for Leonard Leigh Ltd, by Harris's of Netherton.

JOAN II; Wooden Tug built at Worsey's dock Walsall in 1936 for Leonard Leigh Ltd. Launched April 16th 1936. Engine thought to have been a lamp start 2 cylinder Ogle. Named after Leonard Leigh's daughter.

JAMES LOADER; Built for Leonard Leigh Ltd; Fleet No 8. Wooden tug built in 1946 for Leonard Leigh Ltd. by Joe Worsey of Walsall with Elm bottoms and Oak sides. Leonard Leigh moved coal from mines to power stations and other customers on the Birmingham Canal Navigations using a fleet of powerful tugs and many open 'day' boats. Trains of up to six boats pulled by a tug would be seen winding along the Wyrley Cut, or waiting at locks for the day boats to be locked through. A tug below would take the train on, while the tug above would take the empties back to the mine. The tug fleet was enlarged after the war with two wooden tugs, JAMES LOADER and CHRISTOPHER JAMES, and steel tugs HELEN, JOAN and JOAN II. They worked until the harsh winter of 1962, when the big freeze put the coal traffic onto lorries and it never returned to the boats, was originally fitted with a 56 hp four cylinder Fordson semi-diesel engine, but after other engines and private purchase in 1963 it was fitted with the present Gardner 2LW diesel in 1968, under a new cabin. He (she?) has 2" thick oak sides and a double planked 4" thick elm bottom, most of which is 60 years old this year. Some planks have been replaced over the years, notably at the waterline, and the maintenance work never stops.

JOAN II; Leonard Leigh Ltd tug.

JUDITH ANN; Peter Keay tug, built by Keay's in 1944. Powered by a Lister JP4; formerly a Ruston 4VRH. Later in the livery of Stevens & Keay. For sale Summer 2000, Judith Ann is now at Langley Mill.Apart from the posts and one chine plank all the planking and bottoms were replaced at Puttenham and we are now fitting decks and cabin.

LION; Harris's of Netherton tug built for Hardy Spicer's in the 1940's. Recently on dry land at Booth lane, and has now moved to Barthomley in Cheshire for re-building. Originally powered by a Lister JP3, with 4 bladed propeller.

MERCURY; Ex FMC steamer COLONEL; 1899, Saltley composite. Regd BHM 1040. Converted to motorboat 1924. G.J.Gauge No 11607. When shortened by Ernest Thomas, the boat was called MERCURY. Recently lengthened using side plates from the FMC butty BRENTFORD. Now based on the GU at Uxbridge.

PACIFIC; Ex FMC steamer VICTORY; 1911, Saltley composite. Regd BHM 1247. Converted to motorboat 1927. Became James Yates's tug PACIFIC. Re-named MALLARD when converted to a hire boat. Oct 2000 at Stockton. March 2001 for sale at Stockton. Sold by October 2001.

PAT;

PRIMUS; built for W. H. Bowater's Photo

ROAMA; Built by Yarwoods in 1938 for the LMS Railway Co. One of a number of tugs operated by the LMS became Tug No 1. Is of wooden construction and was used on the Trent and Mersey Canal. Engine Russel Newbury DM2 Photo

SANDBACH; Built by Yarwoods of Northwich in February 1946 as a 25ft long boat. Again built as both a Tug and Ice breaker, she was lengthened by 10ft later in 1946 to her present length 35ft.Passed into BWB ownership and sold by them in early 1980s. Refitted with a 2 cyl Bolinder engine about this time. photo

SALLY; Ex FMC steamer MARQUIS; No 237;1898, Saltley composite. Regd BHM 1002. Converted to motorboat 1925. Captained by Sam Slater on the GJC 1910. Sold to Joseph Holloway of Oldbury. Later sold to J. Haywood of Tipton, and re-named SALLY. Became a pleasure boat called CALYPSO. At some time shortened for tugging (54ft).New cabin built Spring 2000 at Brinklow. Engine Lister FR3. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

SPITFIRE; BCN tug, 46ft in length. Built by Harris's of Netherton in 1940 for Leonard Leigh Ltd. Converted to pleasure use in 1961, by Allen Bros, Oldbury. In 1972 made into a 42 seater trip boat on the Chesterfield Canal. In 1985 converted to a pleasure boat again, with a steel cabin. Now a converted boat powered by a Perkins diesel. Sold in October 2001, now based on the Caldon Canal.

STEWARTS & LLOYDS N0 2; Ex GUCC motor, ALGOL; No 5, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 554, GU No 12433. Sold by GUCCC in June 1940 to Stanton & Staveley tube works for �950.00. Registered at Ilkeston in Nov 1941 No99. The boat became No 51 in the Stanton fleet. Sold in July 1947 to Stewarts & Lloyds at Halesowen, to become Tug No 2. Shortened, by W Harris of Netherton, and a new cabin added and tug deck. Currently Oct 2000, at Saul Junction having a steel bottom fitted.

THE DART; Ex FMC steamer DUTEOUS; 1923, Uxbridge wooden. Regd BHM 1448. Converted to motorboat 1924. At some time the boat was called VICTORY. Ended it's life as Peter Keay's 70ft tug called THE DART. 1993 sunk on the BCN at Walsall.

TEMPEST; BCN tug. Built for Leonard Leigh Ltd, by Harris's of Netherton.

TYPHOON; BCN tug, based at Hanwell. Built for Leonard Leigh Ltd by Harris's of Netherton. Similar boat to REDCAP. Originally had engine installed midships. photos

Wharf boats.

Wharf, 'ampton boats, or big boats, were built of wood, and solely used on the Wolverhampton level of the BCN. This level, 40 miles in length had no locks, and was the main coal route from Cannock into Wolverhampton. It thus made sense to build boats of a larger gauge; the length and width it is said, being determined by the limitations of the junction at Pelsall Common. The typical load for a wharf boat was 45tons, possibly 50 maximum. All the boats had a typical day boat cabin, with timber towing head in the stern well deck. A further addition was an extension to the rudder that slotted over the rudder blade to give more leverage against the flow of water. The majority of the wharf boats were single ended. Currently, March 2001, no wharf boats are thought to be extant.

All the entries here are the large wharf or 'ampton boats . The entries are currently from December 1916 to September 1937. Entries are made under company ownership, with the company name first, and address in the gauging book. The boat name follows, if no name or number is indicated, then these entries are blank in the book. BCN gauge No, and date of gauge follow; size of the boat, (length and width), and the freeboard with maximum load on, at test at Tipton or Smethwick gauging stations.

ALBION COAL CO; Wolverhampton.

BCN 343, 28/7/1922. 76ft10" x 7ft8.25" 49ton @ 0.75"FB

ASTBURY & BARROW; Can Lane Wharf.

DENNIS; BCN 1230, 17/12/1926. 82ft7" x 7ft8.5" 52ton @ 0.00"FB, (presumed sunk!)

D.BAKER, Bradley.

LITTLE JIM; BCN 23193, 23/6/1920. 79ft6" x 7ft6.5". 46ton @ 0.18"FB.

ANNIE; BCN 22605, 11/12/1916. 76ft10" x 7ft6.5". 46ton @ 0.48"FB.

BCN 1876, 13/9/1935. 88ft10" x 7ft9.5". 61ton @ 0.48"FB

BCN 747, 22/10/1923. 72ft 8" x 7ft2.5"

BCN 445, 2/10/1922. 84ft4" x 7ft8.5"

S.BRIDGEN, Wolverhampton.

No 2, BCN 1125, 1/12/1925. 82ft 9" x 7ft7.5" 50 ton @ 0.32" Freeboard

No3, BCN 1216, 1/11/1926. 83ft9" x 7ft8.5" 50ton @ 0.48"FB

No4; BCN 1376, 25/2/1928. 85ft0" x 7ft9" 54ton @ 0.21"FB

E DYKE, Lanesfield.

AUBREY; No2, BCN 1037, 30/3/1925. 80ft2" x 7ft7" 51ton 0.12"FB

DOWN & OUT; BCN 1214, 21/10/1926. 83ft7" x 7ft8.5" 49ton @ 0.72"FB

FLORENCE; BCN 933, 8/10/1924, 82ft4" x 7ft8"

W. ELWELL & SONS Ltd, Tipton.

IVY; BCN 1746, 25/1/1933. 88ft9" x 7ft10" 58ton @ 0.48"FB.

MR PERKINS; BCN 1793, 7/2/1934. 86ft4" x 7ft8.5" 57ton @ 0.64"FB

UNCLE JIM; BCN 1770, 19/7/1933. 84ft x 7ft8.25". 54ton @ 0.7"FB

S.EVANS & Sons, Wolverhampton.

HANNAH; BCN 1623, 22/7/1930. 86ft0" x 7ft8". 55ton @ 0.44"FB

FANSHAW & PINSON, Wolverhampton.

ANNIE; BCN 159, 30/1/1922. 75ft7" x 7ft6.5" 49ton @ 0.47"FB

PONGO; BCN 1446, 29/11/1928. 76ft5" x 7ft6.5"

SHEILA; BCN 1758, 28/4/1933. 85ft10 x 7ft8" 55ton @ 0.30"FB

J FOULKES, Wednesfield.

TONY; BCN 1772, 21/8/1933. 87ft6" x 7ft8.5" 57ton @ 0.48"FB

RON; BCN 1801, 25/4/1934. 88ft x 7ft8.25". 58ton @ 0.33"FB

GEORGE & MATTHEWS; Wolverhampton.

FLORENCE; BCN 348, 31/7/1922. 79ft4" x 7ft7.25"

A. GRIFFITHS & CO, Walsall.

JACK; BCN 882, 16/7/1924.

J HENLEY; Heath Town Dock.

PEARL; BCN 1099, 30/9/1925. 87ft x 7ft8" 56ton @ 0.51"FB

J HICKINBOTTOM & SONS, Wednesbury.

No, W.A. BCN 1777, 29/9/1933. 84ft7" x 7ft8.5". 53ton @ 0.67"FB

BETTY; BCN 1778, 9/10/1933. 84ft5" x 7ft10.25". 55ton @ 0.34"FB

THOMAS SIDNEY; BCN 1952, late No 15765. 16/4/1937. 80ft9" x 7ft8". 49ton @ 0.7"FB

CHAS INGLES; Horsley fields.

VIOLET; BCN 395, 25/8/1922. 77ft3" x 7ft8"

J. INGLES; Spring Vale.

ISIS; BCN No 23033 76ft6" x 7ft5". 30/6/1919. 46ton @ 0.80"FB

JONES & POWELL, Ettingshall.

BEATRICE LILY; No1. BCN 1420, 27/8/1928. 81ft3" x 7ft8". 52 Ton @ 0.55" FREEBOARD

EDNA IRENE; BCN 1840, 1/2/1935. 86ft8" x 7ft8.5". 58ton @ 0.04"FB

IRIS MOREEN; BCN 1720, 20/5/ 1932. 86ft 2" x 7ft 8.25". 57ton @ 0.25"FB

SAMUEL; BCN 1605, 28/5/1930, 85ft7" x 7ft*.5". 53 Ton @ 0.09" FREEBOARD

C.W.MITCHARD, Tipton.

CONTENTED; BCN 1052, 21/5/1925. 81ft10" x 7ft8.25". 50ton @ 0.77"FB

MICH; BCN 1039, 1/4/1925. 82ft0" x 7ft8" 51ton @ 0.47"FB

MIND WHAT YOUR A DOIN; BCN 1383, 21/3/1928. 84ft x 7ft9" 51ton @ 0.42"FB

E.PROBERT & Sons, Millfields.

PROSPER; BCN 1416, 20/8/1928. 85ft4" x 7ft8.5". 52 ton @ 0.74" FREEBOARD.

PROCEED; BCN 1217, 3/11/1926. 78ft5" x 7ft6".

PROMPT; BCN 1736, 19/8/1932. 87ft8" x 7ft10.5". 59 ton @ 0.08" FREEBOARD

PROSPERITY; BCN 1239, 10/1/1927. 84ft8" x 7ft8". 51 ton @ 0.12" FREEBOARD

E.W.REID, Dudley Port.

BILL; BCN 2380, 5/6/1957. The last wharf boat to be registered on the BCN.

2369; BCN 2369, 16/2/1955.

No3; BCN 208, 23/3/1922. 75ft7" x 7ft5.5"

EWAT; BCN 1591, 26/4/1930. 83ft 0" x 7ft9". 50ton @ 0.29"FB

F. ROBINSON, Wolverhampton,

GEORGE HARDY; BCN 1537, 2/12/1929. 79ft7" x 7ft8.5" 50ton @ 0.11"FB

SEAGRAVE; BCN 1535, 26/11/1929. 83ft1" x 7ft9" 50ton @ 0.59"FB

SOUTHAM COALING Co, Wolverhampton.

BCN 1046, 1/5/1925. 82ft3" x 7ft7.25"

D.STEVENS, Deepfields.

BCN 678,22/6/1923. 80ft7" x 7ft8.25"

JUNE; BCN 975, 5/12/1924. 83ft4" x 7ft8.5"

ONE X; BCN 1081, 31/8/1925. 82ft x 7ft8". 50ton @ 0.76"FB

BCN 856, 12/5/1924. 82ft2" x 7ft8.25"

MAYFLOWER; BCN 757, 5/11/1923. 82ft6" x 7ft8.5"

J & E TAYLOR, Horsley fields.

BCN 1725, 27/6/1932. 85ft5" x 7ft8.25" 52ton @ 0.02"FB

A G & D THOMAS, Horsley fields.

JOE LOGGER; BCN 1254, 9/2/1927. 84ft10" x 7ft9" 55ton @ 0.52"FB

OLIVE; BCN 1082, 2/9/1925. 79ft7" x 7ft7.5"

YOUNG TOM; BCN 1338, 4/10/1927. 85ft6" x 7ft9". 53ton @ 0.13"FB

E.THOMAS, Walsall.

MARGE; BCN 1696, 18/9/1931. 88ft0" x 7ft10". 59ton @ 0.39"FB

RAY; BCN 1663, 24/3/1931. 87ft11" x 7ft9". 56ton @ 0.26"FB

J.TOOLE Ltd, Bilston.

DOVE; BCN 23123, 5/3/1920. 79ft5" x 7ft5.75". 45ton @ 0.21"FB.

FRANCES; BCN 1086, 8/9/1925. 83ft8" x 7ft7.5" 54ton @ 0.69"FB

GWENDOLINE; BCN 1087, 9/9/1925. 84ft9" x 7ft9". 53ton @ 0.28"FB

BCN 22651, 13/4/1917. 81ft6" x 7ft7.5". 51ton @ 0.34"FB.

H.TURTON; Monmore Green,

ADELINE; BCN 1741, 16/9/1932. 87ft4" x 7ft9.25" 56ton @ 0.42"FB

BRENDA; BCN 1745, 31/10/1932. 86ft8" x 7ft10.75". 58ton @ 0.20"FB

J. TURTON, Tipton

BCN 699, 30/7/1923. 83ft6" x 7ft8.25" 52ton @ 0.62FB

MARJORIE; BCN 777, 19/12/1923. 78ft8" x 7ft8.25"

PROSPERITY; BCN 23270, 15/10/1920. 78ft8" x 7ft"8".

W & S WARREN; Rough Hills.

EVELYN; BCN 1042, 6/4/1925. 82ft x 7ft8". 50ton @ 0.52"FB

W.J.WEBBERLEY, Wolverhampton.

No 1; BCN 1804, 16/5/1934. 88ft x 7ft8.5". 57ton @ 0.23"FB

No 12, BCN 567, 31/1/1923. 80ft6" x 7ft9.5"

BCN 23094, 2/1/1920. 77ft9" x 7ft6.75". 46ton @ 0.29"FB

BCN 749, 22/10/1923. 84ft6" x 7ft8.75".

BCN 1672, 13/5/1931. 86ft2" x 7ft9". 56ton @ 0.17"FB

J.WELLINGS, Millfields.

JACK; BCN 134, 14/11/1921. 79ft 10" x 7ft7.25". 49ton @ 0.47"FB

VERA; BCN 23334, 19/1/1921. 80ft1" x 7ft7". 48ton @ 0.47"FB

WULFRUNA COAL CO, Wolverhampton.

BCN 781, 28/12/1923. 76ft1" x 7ft6.25"

AMY; BCN 986, 29/12/1924. 82ft11" x 7ft8". 50ton @ 0.68"FB

ARGO; BCN 782, 28/12/1923. 76ft4" x 7ft6.25"

IRIS; BCN 1751, 24/2/1933. 88ft x 7ft9.5" 58ton @ 0.49"FB

MARGARET; BCN 1041, 3/4/1925. 77ft x 7ft8.5"

UNA IRENE; BCN 1154, 22/3/1926. 82ft x 7ft8.5" 50ton @ 0.45"FB

J.YATES; Pelsall.

ELIZABETH; BCN 942, 17/10/1924, 82ft8" x 7ft7.75"

FLORENCE; BCN 886, 21/7/1924. 81ft9" x 7ft8.5"

JESSIE; BCN 795, 16/1/1924. 82ft8" x 7ft8.75"

LITTLE BILL; BCN 1413, 25/7/1928. 84ft10" x 7ft8.5" 52ton @ 0.16"FB

RUBY; BCN 1503, 11/7/1929. 84ft7" x 7ft9" 50ton @ 0.74"FB

SIDNEY JOHN; BCN 1320, 29/8/1927. 83ft3" x 7ft8.5" 51ton @ 0.04"FB

T & S ELEMENT Ltd. This canal carrying business was founded as a partnership by the brothers Thomas (born 1881) and Samuel (born 1889), the second and fourth sons of George and Jane Element of Halesowen Street, Oldbury. (This street still exists, but sadly all old buildings have been demolished to make way for new developments). The brothers traded as general carriers initially based at Springfields, Rowley Regis, where their main traffics were road stone and coal. In 1920 a branch of the business was established at St Clement Road, Nechells. In 1932 a major depot was established at Salford Bridge, opposite the Junction of the Birmingham and Warwick and Birmingham and Fazeley canals, this became the company's head office. Boats were purchased to complement the fleet throughout the company's history, the maximum number believed to be nearly 200 craft at it's peak just after the end of the second world war. By the early 1970's the company's fleet had reduced to about 6 boats, which were employed solely on factory rubbish contracts. What did they carry during their history? - Road stone, Coal, Coke, Coal slack, concrete Aggregates, Sand, Gravel, Tubes, Manure, Ashes, Blast furnace slag, Phosphorus waste liquor and Rubbish (no doubt there were many more!). Thanks to David Element (great grandson of one of the co-founders of T & S Element Ltd.) for his invaluable assistance with this account. David is researching the history of the company, and would be interested in hearing from anyone who has related memories or photographs, or who knows the whereabouts of any T & S Element boats still afloat or abandoned. David can be contacted by e-mail at: - david.element.1984@pem.cam.ac.uk

Motor or Butty / Name/ Company / Fleet No. / Gauging date / Gauging details / Other information

M	MAYFLOWER	T&S. ELEMENT		08/05/46	2247	OLD 19 Bought from GUCC for �300(no engine) after a fire November 1945. She was used mainly on the Stourport Power station run until Elements lost the contract
M	BEN	" "				Built 1934 by Harris Brothers, Bumblehole, Netherton, a narrowboat constructed of iron. She has a 16 hp Lister CE diesel engine. Built to carry coal from the Black Country coal fields to Kidderminster for the carpet trade, she was subsequently owned by T & S Elements of Oldbury and used in general trade in the Birmingham area. Later she was leased to Albright & Wilson and used for the carriage of chemicals. BEN was working until 1967 carrying coal from the Anglesey Basin to the GEC works. . uncon.7/99 Hold is decked over.
M	MAY QUEEN	" "		30/04/41	2102	Bought from GUCC for �650 April 1941 PRAESEPE
M	DUKE OF YORK	" "		01/11/44	BCN 2224	As above ex. UMBRIEL
M	KING GEORGE	T&S ELEMENT		17/09/41	2106	OLDBURY 10 built 9/41. new engine '44,reconditioned '47, repaired '48. sold Lincoln '52. K.G.V.fs.5/92?
M	PRINCESS ELIZABETH	" "		01/04/42	2121	OLD 12 built by FMC 3/42. sold to A.WOODS Tipton 12/52
M	ANNIE ELIZA	" "		l		ex PLATO GUCC
M	PRINCESS ANNE	" "				Above boat renamed, she is currently slightly shortened and based in the north.
M	PRINCE CHARLES	T&S ELEMENT				x.DELPHINUS GUCC. Bought from Talbot garage company Kidderminster. sold to Albert Prince, Alrewas '51. now 50ft with planked over hold.
M	ANTARES	" "				x.Gucc 2/43.Bought from Talbot garage company Kidderminster. sold to Tudor, West Brom '54. converted fs 8/89 work needed
M	CORK	" "			21483	No other details at present




B	SURREY	T&S ELEMENT				Bought from FMC for �120 in July 1920
B	IVY	" "	87	OLD 8	BCN 485	Wooden butty boat built with fore cabin. No. 1 in the Fellows, Morton & Clayton fleet, originally called ADA. Bought from FMC for �52.50 April 1941. Painted especially for Festival of Britain 21.4.51
B	ORION	T&S ELEMENT			BCN 832	Cabined wooden horseboat. Nurser built. Part of the Fellows, Morton & Clayton fleet. Registered at Wolverhampton No. 1127. Registered BCN no. 832 on 9 April 1924 Bought from FMC for �52.50 April 1941
B	THELMA	" "	98	31/12/41	372	TAM 171 x .C.NELSON. HENRY 1941.Registered 1941. Docked Spencer Abbot 1941. Docked thoroughly at Spencer Abbot September 1943.. Docked shared(?) August 19th 1944 ,Not painted. Leaks stopped (Yates) July 20th (1945). Docked thoroughly. Sides all new. Sheared. Lot of planks November 3 rd 1945. Leaks stopped January 18 th 1947. Docked on side and painted October 4 th 1947. Leaks stopped October 20 th 1948. Sold to for House Boat �40
B	DOLLY	T&S ELEMENT		10/12/41	BCN 245	" " 1941.Docked Spencer December 9th 1941. Docked thoroughly May 31st 1943. Docked thoroughly October 9th 1944. Docked thoroughly July 27th 1945 Lots of planks. File sheared all over (??). Leaks stopped & blacked June 16th 1946. Leaks stopped & blacked June 12th 1947. Leaks stopped & blacked March 16 th 1948. Sold to J. Holloway
J	RUBY	" "			18386	Bought from Vivians.Docked thoroughly Dec 3 rd 1927. Not to strong Hardened & Blacked Jan 30th 1931. For manure boat Sold
J	THISTLE	" "			18426	Cut up March 27 th 1928
J	FREDERICK	" "			18656	Cut up March 5 th 1929
J	HARRIET	T&S ELEMENT			18714	Bought from Vivians. Docked Jan 18 th 1929 Not to strong Cut Up 1932
J	EVA	" "			19783	Docked thoroughly Feb 25 th 1928 Docked thoroughly Feb 28 th 1935 Leaks stopped And sold to T. Vale & Sons, Stockport. Feb 1938
J	PERSEVERANCE	" "			19840	Docked thoroughly July 2 nd 1928 No good to dock again. Only patch up Cut up Jan 1931
J	SAMUEL	T&S ELEMENT			20119	Docked thoroughly March 28th 1927 Cut up March 28 th 1929
J	NANCY	" "			20428	Cut up Dec 19 th 1928
J	OSWALD	" "			21421	Docked thoroughly Jan 30th 1928 Cut up Sep 1 st 1934
J	JERRY	T&S ELEMENT			21623	Bought from George Adams of Wolverhampton. Docked Extra Special Sep 5 th 1927. Docked Thoroughly Oct 5th 1929. Docked Thoroughly Feb 20 th 1933. Docked for Last Time Dec 11 th 1937. Cut up
J	BOWES LYON	" "			21713	Bought from Adams' Docked Thoroughly April 20 th 1927 Strong Boat. Docked Thoroughly Jan 6 th 1930 Strong Boat. Docked Thoroughly July 4 th 1932. Docked Thoroughly ??? 6 th 1934. Docked Thoroughly May 11 th 1936 About last time docking. Leak stopped Aug 15th 1938. Cut up Dec 1940.
J	GLADYS	" "			21714	Bought from Adams' Docked Thoroughly Oct 29 th 1927 Not to strong Cut up June 14 th 1932
B	ALICE	" "	Had cabin		21732	Docked Thoroughly Oct 18 th 1927 About last time. Cut up March 2nd 1929. Feb 10 th 1931.
J	ELSIE	T&S ELEMENT			21777	Bought from Adams' Cut up Aug 20 th 1928
J	MARGARET	" "			21869	Bought from Adams'. Hardened and Blacked Jan 24 th 1929. Docked thoroughly Jan 31st 1930. Hardened and Blacked Nov 28 th 1933. Docked roughly Nov 30 th 1935. Docked roughly April 19 th 1937 about last time. Cut up 1951 (note: considering that she was considered spent in 1937, she lasted well on it!!)
J	FLORRIE	" "			21872	Bought from Adams' Docked thoroughly Jan 14 th 1928. Docked thoroughly July 18 th 1929. Hardened and Blacked June 30 th 1933. Cut up Sep 1935
J	COMET	T&S ELEMENT			22028	Bought from Adams' Docked thoroughly March 9/27 Strong. Docked thoroughly July 18 th 1932. Docked thoroughly March 15 th 1937 About last time. Docked thoroughly June 1939. Cut up Jan 1942
J	MARS	" "	had cabin		22530	Bought from Adams' Docked thoroughly & New Sheared for Slag Boat June 18 th 1927. Dock thoroughly March 15 th 1930. Dock thoroughly June 18 th 1932 Lot of Planking. Dock thoroughly November 2 nd 1935 Lot of Planking. Dock thoroughly May 10 th 1939 No Plank Bad Bottom Cut Up
J	JULIAN	" "			BCN 668	built by Yates' Docked thoroughly June 1 st 1931. Docked thoroughly December 24 th 1935. Docked thoroughly. Planked up November 9 th 1939. Leaks Stopped January 1948. Docked thoroughly May 23 rd 1950. Blacked cabin. Bottom ????? Repairing damage. 2 new planks, 2 new rules. Bottom lining May 4 th 1951. Docked lightly March 1952 Last time
J	JACK	T&S ELEMENT			499	Built by Yates' Docked thoroughly August 18 th 1928. Docked thoroughly May 8th 1930. Docked thoroughly November 1932. Leaks stopped December 20 th 1933. Docked thoroughly April 15 th 1935. Docked thoroughly February 2 nd 1938. Docked thoroughly November 25 th 1939. Leaks stopped April 16 th 1941 Should last 12 months. Weighed in. Docked thoroughly July 27 th 1944 New stern & bottom streaks(?). Docked thoroughly May 26th 1948 Worsey. Docked thoroughly April 1951 Atkins ??????. Docked December 17th 1953. Stopped Leaks October 28th 1954
J	THOMAS RAYMOND	" "			BCN 2113	Gauged 1st January 1942
J	HILDA	" "	65	29/06/22	BCN 317	Cabined Joey from Worsey's. Docked thoroughly May 24 th 1928. Docked thoroughly October 4 th 1930. Docked thoroughly January 25 th 1933. Docked thoroughly November 5 th 1934. Docked thoroughly October 1937. Docked thoroughly September 4 th 1940. Docked thoroughly November 19 th 1942 New stern & bar. New b????. ????? & ?????. Docked thoroughly. Weighed in January 24th 1945 New bottom streak(?). Docked thoroughly at Deepfields March 23 rd 1948 �95. Docked thoroughly April 24th 1951 New bottom fore end. Docked thoroughly September 28 th 1953.
J	MINNIE	T&S ELEMENT	66	29/06/22	BCN 316	Docked thoroughly at Deepfields March 1948 �95
J	COMET	" "			22028	Docked thoroughly March 9/27 Strong Docked thoroughly July 18 th 1932 Docked thoroughly March 15 th 1937 About last time Docked thoroughly June 1939 Cut up Jan 1942
J	COMET	" "			2379	Gauged 5/12/56
J	WILLIAM	" "		20/10/43	BCN 166	Sold to Accles April 1955
J	CORONATION	T&S ELEMENT				residential based Anstey. Although once painted in the T & S Element livery, there is no evidence that the Coronation boat was ever part of the T & S Element fleet. In August 2001, the Coronation was viewed � and the words "T & S Element" could be clearly seen engraved in the rudder.
J	SAPPHIRE	" "	82		BCN 2366	Note under BCN 491 and BCN 2366 that Crimson (491) was cut-up in 1954 to form the Sapphire (2366). Built by Yates at Norton Canes in 1954. She was one of the last craft to enter service and lasted until 1977, being one of those docked by Peter Keay and Son at Walsall
J	DAISY	T&S ELEMENT	42	06/12/22	BCN 138	Docked thoroughly Sept 9 th 1928. Docked thoroughly June 2 nd 1930. Docked thoroughly Nov 16 th 1933. Docked thoroughly Sept 18 th 1935. Leaks stopped & blacked Feb 8 th 1937. Leaks stopped & blacked Oct 5 th 1937. Docked thoroughly March 15 th 1939 Fore end strengthened. Docked thoroughly May 1941. Iron knees all over March 27 th 1945 New bottom ?????. Docked thoroughly Oct 16 th 1946. Docked thoroughly July 28 th 1949. ??????? Oct 18 th 1952 Sheared bottom. ??????? Aug 17 th 1954. Sold
J	WALTER	T&S ELEMENT	43	26/04/44	BCN 139	Docked thoroughly March 17 th 1927. Docked thoroughly October 28 th 1928. Docked thoroughly June 23 rd 1930. Docked thoroughly June 24 th 1932. Docked thoroughly March 10 th 1938. Docked thoroughly April 6 th 1940. Docked thoroughly June 25 th 1942. Docked thoroughly April 24 th 1944 New stern bar and deep gunling. Weighed in Tipton, 26/04/44. Docked thoroughly October 11 th 1946. Docked thoroughly May 18 th 1949 Went to B'ham July 1949. Docked thoroughly March 26 th 1952. Caulked & blacked. Planks. Accident March 26 th 1952. Docked. Black planks March 1955
J	DIAMOND	T&S ELEMENT	81	05/04/45	495	docked 3/54. Is Caggy Stevens SUSAN now at BCLM. Docked thoroughly February 4 th 1929. Docked thoroughly May 24 th 1932. Docked thoroughly April 17 th 1934. Docked thoroughly May 1 st 1939. Hardened & blacked November 18 th 1940 Ought to last 12 months. Docked thoroughly July 30 th 1942. Iron knees to middle. Weighed in April 4 th 1944 New stern & bottom ??? & bar. Docked January 10 th 1946 Not painted. Docked thoroughly February 19 th 1952 Iron knees all over. New stern end. Bolt on ??????????. Docked thoroughly March 19 th 1954
B	RONNIE	" "		24/07/40	2092	ex Barlows 7/40, cabin wooden boat
J	TRIUMPH	T&S ELEMENT			BCN 17972	Cabined iron boat. Blacked paint. Cabin Took Off ???? May 6 th 1949
J	Electric		51	23/02/22	180	Was part of Elements fleet used to service 'Stourport light'
J	Electric		51	07/02/45	180	Was part of Elements fleet used to service 'Stourport light'. Replaced/rebuild of above.
J	Mary Ann		70	22/07/22	333	'S.L'
J	Integrity			26/01/27	1246	'S.L'
J	Elsie May			04/02/27	1252	'S.L'
J	Primrose			20/05/31	253	'S.L'
J	Samuel			06/04/32	1717	'S.L'
J	Violet			28/04/32	185	'S.L'
J	Frederick			30/06/33	1767	'S.L'
J	Queen Mary			22/06/36	1910	'S.L'
J	George			12/09/38	176	'S.L'
J	Edna			19/09/38	303	'S.L'
J	Nancy			16/12/38	2052	'S.L'
J	Neville			25/09/39	2073	'S.L'
J	Joan			19/02/41	2098	'S.L'
J	Ruby			27/05/42	23194	'S.L'
J	William			20/10/43	166	'S.L'
J	Thomas William			29/12/43	1241	'S.L'
J	Gladys			12/01/44	2186	'S.L'
J	Sheila			12/06/44	1969	'S.L'
J	Christine			14/06/44	2194	'S.L'
J	Adelaide			20/09/44	410	'S.L'
J	Lorraine			11/04/45	2028	'S.L'
J	Charles			26/09/45	2238	'S.L'
J	Evelyn			04/09/46	1362	'S.L'
J	Sapphire		82	25/11/22	494	'S.L' Replaced by a boat of the same name details above.




















CW	Ampic II	S. W &S Elec. Power . Co	2	07/06/44	2191
CW	Turbic II		5	02/08/44	2219
CW	Boostic II		6	29/11/43	2182
CW	Wattic II		7	12/06/44	2193
CW	Ohmic II		8	08/11/43	2175
CW	Rotoric II		9	19/07/44	2212
CW	Relayic II		10	31/07/44	2218
CW	Stourport II		11	19/06/44	2198
CW	Static II		12	03/07/44	2208
CW	Walter		22	02/08/44	2220
CW	Joe		23	21/06/44	2200
CW	Peter		23	26/07/44	2216
CW	Ted		24	26/06/44	2203
CW	Arthur		25	14/06/44	2196
CW	Bert		26	19/06/44	2199
CW	Tom		28	03/07/44	2207
CW	Dan		29	14/06/44	2195
CW	Bill		30	01/12/43	2183
CW	Len		31	24/07/44	2214
CW	Bob		32	10/07/44	2211
CW	Mac		33	26/07/44	2217
CW	Sidnee		34	26/06/44	2204
CW	Roy		35	26/06/44	2205
CW	Ronnie		36	19/06/44	2197
CW	Ernest		37	06/09/44	1992
CW	Harold		38	31/07/44	1999
CW	James