A quartet of Black Country boat builders
WHEN the canals were first cut across the Black Country in the 18th century the industry was in its infancy in terms of having an infrastructure in place to make this new form of transportation and travel economically viable.
For a water system boats were essential, working boats that would carry the fuel of industry from the coal pit to the factory, and take finished goods to markets further afield. One hundred years after the coming of the canals boat builders were still esential and in the Black Country and its Industries catalogue for 1903 four from the Dudley area are listed.
Samuel Horton was an iron and steel boat builder from Netherton and had a boat dock on the Pensnett canal. His business also carried out boat repairs and over thirty-five years had built up a reputation of fine craftsmanship. Horton’s also manufactured boilers, tanks, girders, colliery tubs and wagons, etc.
James Fisher was a boat builder at Hollis Bridge in Old Hill. The catalogue entry explained: “The canal system of the Black Country provides a specialised kind of work for a number of qualified men in the building of boats for the transport of goods from this great centre to all parts of the country, and James Fisher is one such individual. His business was established twenty-four years ago and he makes boats of different carrying capacity and for carrying any kind of goods. His long career and experience of the trade guarantee an efficient workmanship.”
The third boat builder in this quartet was J.W. Cornwell who had his business situated in Springfield Lane near Dudley. He acquired the boat building dock in 1892 and two years later bought a breeze business. The premises were conveniently situated opposite each other on the sides of the canal. He did the majority of the boat building himself and supplied breeze to chain makers, vice and anvil and other manufacturers in the surrounding area.
According to the industries catalogue the fourth boat builder was John Freeman: “For the last twenty-two years he has carried out the business of boat builder, general carpenter and undertaker at Windmill End, Netherton. The facilities he possesses for this class of work are of the best description, for he has extensive premises conveniently situated in a busy neighbourhood. Mr Freeman has had a long experience of boat building and his special knowledge of the work makes him well qualified in this branch of the business. He devotes the whole of his time and energy to his business and carefully studies the requirements of all his patrons. Mr Freeman is an important representative of his trade and is invariably commended for the sound work he turns out.”