Middle Northwich Boats...
As part of an ambitious expansion policy on the part of the Grand Union Canal
Carrying Company Ltd (GUCCC), during 1935 & 1936 eight pairs of steel boats with
V shaped bottoms and rounded bilges were built by W.J.Yarwood & Sons of
Northwich. The GUCCC designated them `E type' and they became known as the
`Middle Northwich' class. Both motors and butties were built to 71'6" overall
length, 7'1/2" width and 4'6" depth. The motors were fitted with 18 BHP Russell
Newbery engines, with a 2:1 reduction gear.
They were all named after stars or constellations and as was also common, these
were sometimes mis-spelt. All the motors would have been fitted with raked
steamer type funnel as standard when built. Ordered in May 1935, the vessels
were delivered at £1,301 per pair, from November 1935 to June 1936.
All but the butty THOTH still exist, although there is some doubt about the
nomenclature of some of the craft. Apart from their V bottoms and rounded
bilges, the Middle Northwich boats have a distinctive pattern of alternate long
and short rubbing strakes at the fore end which allows them to be easily
identified. The subsequent history of these craft is a little confused at times,
although it has been possible to piece together a good deal of information.
Please click on a boat in the table below or select a boat from the menu on the
right to view their history