Registration number 2100
Status Registered
adminnhs
BCN No1 Dredger, port side view
  • Work being carried out on

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Hopper/dredger
Location Weston
Vessel type Dredger - Spoon
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Birmingham Canal Navigations Company, Birmingham
Built in 1873
Hull material Iron
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Manpower
Primary engine type None
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
7.00 feet (2.14m)
Depth
1.25 feet (0.38m)
Length: Overall
70.00 feet (21.35m)

History

Built in 1873 by the Birmingham Canal Company, this historic hand-operated spoon dredger was originally of riveted iron construction, though it now features a welded steel bottom. Serving a long and distinguished career as a Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) maintenance vessel, she was finally retired in 1985. Today, she is the sole survivor out of just four such maintenance boats ever built for the BCN. 

Measuring 70 feet long with a 7-foot beam, she is completely unpowered. In her working days, she would have been bow-hauled, horse-drawn, and eventually towed by a tug. Following a meticulous restoration in the late 2000s by renowned historic boat builder Malcolm Braine, she went on display at the Black Country Museum in 2009. 

Her current owners took take over the maintenance and operation of this extraordinary vessel in 2017.  She is frequently on display at Rose Narrowboats and travels to historic boat gatherings towed behind Oxford No.1

Significance

Built in 1873 by the Birmingham Canal Company, this historic hand-operated spoon dredger was originally of riveted iron construction, though it now features a welded steel bottom. Serving a long and distinguished career as a Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) maintenance vessel, she was finally retired in 1985. Today, she is the sole survivor out of just four such maintenance boats ever built for the BCN. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Measuring 70 feet long with a 7-foot beam, she is completely unpowered. In her working days, she would have been bow-hauled, horse-drawn, and eventually towed by a tug. Following a meticulous restoration in the late 2000s by renowned historic boat builder Malcolm Braine, she went on display at the Black Country Museum in 2009. [1, 2, 3]

In 2017, we were deeply honored to take over the maintenance and operation of this extraordinary vessel. While ongoing restoration work continues, she is frequently on display at Rose Narrowboats and travels to historic boat gatherings towed behind Oxford No.1

Key dates

  • 1873

    Built by Birmingham Canal Navigation Company
  • 1985

    Retired from active work on canals
  • 2009

    Vessel in care of Black Country Living Museum and on public display

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