Bainton and Berkhampstead are destined for a great future
OVER the past two years, a small group of dedicated Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust (SNCT) restoration enthusiasts have been working on conserving the two Town Class Large Woolwich narrowboats Bainton and Berkhampstead.
For such a small team, the work they have done is surprising, although, despite being built in 1936 by Harland and Wolff at Woolwich, both boats had survived many years of very little use. Originally the boats were used by the Grand Union Supply Company.
Given to the SNCT under a deed of trust by Rodger White, the 70ft boats, particularly the butty Berkhampstead, are now well on the way to being ready for a trip to the newly restored basin at Wappenshall in Telford. If all goes to plan, Berkhampstead will arrive in its new home towards the end of this year.
Conservation work has been led by team leader Philip Jones, who has an impressive background in restoring and conservation projects, including one focused on a steam engine. Coupled with his background in the merchant navy, a project like this provides him, and his team, with the perfect way to spend most Saturdays.
Philip quickly recognises the help they’ve had from the engineers at Norbury Wharf Ltd, who have helped with welding and many other tasks during their time moored close to their yard. The team is also grateful for the help and support received from the Canal & River Trust in whose yard adjacent to Norbury Wharf they have been able to moor.
Despite Bainton looking worse due to it waiting its turn for work to begin, Philip tells us that the Lister HD 3 is in ‘very good condition’. Surprising given that both boats were moored up for 20 years before they came to Norbury. The hulls, with their 12mm base plates, have also survived well despite the total loss of the sacrificial anodes over the years. Philip feels that this is due, in no small way, to the quality of the steel used in the original construction. He thinks that after 1955 the quality was reduced, something that would have had a significant impact on this working pair had it happened earlier.
The plan is for Berkhampstead to become something of a floating venue for a wide range of events, including floating exhibitions, small theatre productions and even weddings! A considerable amount of preparatory work has been done in the cabin, including the refurbishment of the stove. Traditional decoration has been added to the stern doors. At the stern, a new elum has been installed. Made from a tonne of oak, the new elum was fitted by specialist contractors who have done an excellent job.
Other woodwork planned is a new floor, what would have been the cargo hold and new wood capping to the gunwales.
Much of the funding for the project to conserve these boats is raised by the activities of Alan and Sue Boney who, along with Peter Rawlings, are fellow members of SNCT and operate a brica-brac stall on the opposite side of the canal from the boats.
Passers-by can not only chat about the project but also see the boats on which their funds are being spent. The result of this approach has proved to be very successful raising the muchneeded funds to carry out the work.
According to the National Historic Ships website, Berkhampstead was to have been scrapped in the early 1980s. However, another boat was scrapped instead due to an alleged clerical error. The tale has it that Berkhampstead was repainted and moved. If true, it is heartening that this historic vessel is once more being saved. It would seem that it isn’t just cats that have nine lives!