Sponsors
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors
Registration number
2266
Status
Registered
a12admin
Details
Function
Cargo Vessel
Subfunction
Narrow Boat
Location
Dudley
Current use
Museum based
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Web address
www.bclm.co.uk
Construction
Builder
Thomas, Ernest, Walsall
Built in
1953
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Propulsion
Towed
Primary engine type
None
Boiler type
None
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Breadth: Beam
7.10 feet
(2.17m)
Length: Overall
70.10 feet
(21.38m)
History
BIRCHILLS was built by Ernest Thomas on his dock at the top of Walsall locks, to the traditional design of a day boat/joey. She was registered on 23 June 1954 at Tipton and worked on the run to Birchills Power Station. When the power station closed, she was sent to Hatherton Junction on the Staffs and Worcs canal, where she was based on the Hatherton Branch, outside E.Thomas' house. This was the last boat built by Ernest Thomas, and almost the last joey built (a few more were built at Ken Keay's dock on the Wyrley and Essington Canal, about a mile away). It is the only surviving joey with a day cabin, and may be the only surviving wooden joey still capable of floating.
Key dates
-
1953
Built by E Thomas, Walsall
-
1977
Restoration prior to delivery to Black Country Living Museum
-
2015
Vessel has been repaired and redocked following furtrher restoration
Grants
-
2013
A grant of £22,750 was given towards the restoration project by The Headley Trust
Sources
HNBC (2015/2) The Keay Awards, 2014
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
