Registration number 1441
Status Registered
a12admin

Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Barge
Location Lymm
Current use Private use
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Yarwood, W J & Sons Ltd, Northwich
Built in 1934
Hull material Steel
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel and electric
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
6.98 feet (2.13m)
Depth
2.98 feet (0.91m)
Length: Overall
70.46 feet (21.49m)

History

STORK is a motor narrow boat, registered at Manchester as number 1123 on 7 May 1934. She was built by W.J. Yarwood & Sons Ltd. of Northwich and was launched on 10 March 1934 as yard number 444. Her hull is made of riveted steel. She has a round bilge, with a pointed bow and a raked curved stem and counter stern. STORK carried chemicals in carboys until 1951, but is now preserved with her hold clothed up and is used as an exhibit and for pleasure. The chemical company, Cowburn and Cowpar Ltd. was based in Manchester and used narrow boats to transport liquids, such as hydrogen disulphide. Originally, carboys were used to contain the liquids, but in later years, tanks were fitted in the boats. Between 1933 and 1936, eight new motor boats were built by Yarwoods, all named after birds with the first letter being 'S'. The first two were of composite construction, but the rest were all of steel with an unusual rounded bilge. The fore end was similar to that of the boats built by the same company for Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd., but another unusual feature was the pointed shape of the counter. All eight boats still survive today, and one of them, SWAN, was featured in John Liley’s book; 'Journeys of the Swan'. Over the last fifteen years, STORK has undergone considerable restoration. A complete re-fit was carried out after she was sold in 1982 and this included building a new boatman's cabin. The existing steel engine room bulkheads were retained. Further work is planned on the interior, as is the renewal of steel plating to the round bilges. Her current engine is the original single cylinder, two stroke, hot bulb diesel, which is started by a blowlamp and a brass reacting pin in the flywheel. It gives 12.6 brake horsepower at 475rpm through a Ferry gearbox and is controlled either in the engine room or from the steering position. She has a hundred gallon diesel tank with a ten gallon feed tank mounted over the top. It is believed that only three of these engines have survived on British waterways and these are installed in STORK, SWAN and SKYLARK.

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