Registration number 2261
Status Registered
a12admin
The King - port side view from lockside at Anderton Lift
The King - view from astern 1910
The King - present Gardner 2LW engine before installation

Previous names

  • 1947 Star
  • 1962 Salamander
  • 1967 The King

Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Narrow Boat
Location Church Minshull
Current use Private use
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Fellows, Morton & Clayton, Saltley Dock
Built in 1905
Hull material Iron
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
7.10 feet (2.17m)
Depth
3.00 feet (0.92m)
Length: Overall
71.50 feet (21.81m)

History

Built in 1905 by Fellows Morton and Clayton at Saltley Dock, Birmingham, THE KING is a narrow boat of iron construction with a Gardner diesel engine model 2LW.

From 1905 to 1947 she ran cargoes of high value perishable goods between Wolverhampton, Birmingham and London. In 1947 she was sold to E Thomas.

She was next sold to John Pinder in 1962 as a houseboat conversion. Her subsequent owners were: John Clenshaw and Barbara Card in 1972; Mark and Claire Booth in 1991; David Strutt and Mike Hudson in 1996 and Chris Jones in 1997.

She was bought by her present owners in 2003 and is one the remaining FMC narrow boats that were originally built for steam propulsion. Her riveted iron hull is 90% original.

In summer 2012 the vessel spent three months in dry dock for full external maintenance and re-painting etc, including the replacement of all cabin external timbers.

Key dates

  • 1905

    Iron narrow boat built by Fellows Morton and Clayton at Saltley Dock, Birmingham
  • 1905-1947

    Ran cargoes of high value perishable goods between Wolverhampton, Birmingham and London
  • 1947

    Sold to E. Thomas
  • 1962

    Sold to John Pinder as a houseboat conversion
  • 1972

    Bought by John Clenshaw and Barbara Card
  • 1991

    Bought by Mark and Claire Booth
  • 1996

    Bought by David Strutt and Mike Hudson
  • 1997

    Bought by Chris Jones
  • 2003

    Bought by Graham Russell. Her riveted iron hull is 90% original
  • 2012

    Three months in dry dock for full external maintenance and re-painting including replacement of cabin timbers
  • 2015

    Bought by present owners

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