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Registration number
2073
Status
Registered
a12admin
Details
Function
Cargo Vessel
Subfunction
Narrow Boat
Location
Birmingham
Vessel type
Tug
Current use
Museum based
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Info required
Yes
Web address
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
Construction
Builder
Yarwood, W J & Sons Ltd, Northwich
Built in
1951
Hull material
Steel
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Propulsion
Motor
Number of engines
1
Primary engine type
Inboard diesel
Boiler type
None
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Breadth: Beam
6.80 feet
(2.07m)
Depth
3.00 feet
(0.92m)
Length: Overall
42.00 feet
(12.81m)
History
Built in 1951 by W J Yarwood of Northwich, NANSEN II is a narrowbeam tug of steel plate construction with a Lister HA3 diesel engine. She is one of very few vessels commissioned by the Docks & Inland Waterways Executive and is possibly the only purpose built canal tug. She was built to haul trains of day boats from the colliery basins to factories in the Birmingham Canal Navigations and was also used as an icebreaker in the worst winter weather.
When she was required to work on the Wyrley and Essington Canal, in the Black Country, the wheelhouse was removed due to the low bridges and a conventional rudder and tiller was fitted. She was later based at British Waterways' regional workshop at Bradley and passed to the British Waterways Working Boat Project in 1999.
NANSEN II was never used as a live aboard home, but is fitted with a day cabin to act as a base for the steerers of the baots towed behind and her crew. Much of her work was towing maintenance craft and she also acted as a base for their operations.
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