Middle Northwich Boats...
Sickle & Sarpedon...
Fleet number 84 and registered at Rickmansworth number 187 on the 21st September
1937, Sickle entered the GUCCCo fleet in March 1937. She was purchased from the
Ministry Of War Transport in 1948 for £1000. She is an ex G.U.C.C.Co trading
boat converted to an icebreaker by Ministry Of War Transport on the 23rd
December 1942. The bow was strengthened and projected bumper fitted. In 1987
Sickle was seen at the Cassiobury Locks where she had a new stern and again in
1994 where she had a BW maintenance cabin on which was painted in the green
livery. Sickle was used as a tug on the Apsley section of the Grand Union and in
1989 she was involved in dredging between Uxbridge and Uxbridge Deep Lock.
Sickle was sold into private ownership in 2002 and was undergoing restoration
until the 26th January 2008 when she was relaunched into the Erewash Canal.
Sarpedon was registered at Rickmansworth number 188 and was sold to A. Harvey
Taylor then to S. Barlows in April 1955 when she was renamed Irene. In around
1962 she passed into the hands of Blue Line Canal Carriers but was sold
straightaway. In January 1978 she was seen in Ashwood basin with the name Anna
and fully converted. She has now been renamed Sarpedon.
Sickle heading up Fradley Lock in June 2008
Photo courtesy of H. Arnold
Sickle heading up Fradley Lock in June 2008
Photo courtesy of H. Arnold
Sickle loaded in June 2008 on the Coventry Canal
Sickle at the top of Atherstone
Photo courtesy of T. Stewart
Sickle heading down Atherstone
Photo courtesy of T. Stewart