Registration number 2933
Status Registered
a12admin

Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Barge
Location Rochester
Vessel type Humber Keel
Current use Private use
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Harker Ltd, John, Knottingley
Built in 1953
Hull material Steel
Rig None
Number of decks 2
Propulsion Motor
Primary engine type Inboard
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
61.00 feet (18.59m)
Breadth: Beam
15.50 feet (4.72m)
Depth
7.50 feet (2.29m)

History

Victor Waddington Ltd was the proprietor of E V Waddington Ltd who had commissioned the building of GOOD LUCK from Harker and in her lifetime she has only had two owners. GOOD LUCK has worked on the Yorkshire canals as a Cargo Power Barge for most of her life, and has had one or two dramatic excursions over the years. In c.1967, GOOD LUCK was loaded with 100 tons of coal and left rather late in the day bound for Hull Gas House. Whilst waiting for the flood tides to rise after grounding at Whitton she encountered THE HUMBER NAVIGATOR (the NAV), which due to the low level of the water was pulling the bottom of the river making her sit up. As the NAV neared GOOD LUCK, her then skipper Len Goldspink signalled to the NAV to change course. Alas, the skipper was “running blind” and did not see Len’s alert and subsequently ran up GOOD LUCK’s deck and the coamings into Len, severing his leg. GOOD LUCK was towed by the NAV to a manned float at Whitton where an ambulance was called and a small boat came out of Brough and took him to land. Len survived the ordeal and GOOD LUCK was repaired at Waddington’s after which John Dean became skipper for two years. 

Significance

GOOD LUCK was built at a time when the canals were used to transport most major goods in the UK. As a Cargo Power Barge she played a role in maintaining the economic stability of the country. 

Key dates

  • 1953

    Built at Knottingley Yard

  • 1959

    Made journey from Sheffild to Thorne which has been documented on film and kept in the Yorkshire Film Archives 

  • 1967

    Suffered damage during a colition with The Humber Navigator at Whitton. 

  • 2001

    Discovered in a derelict condition by current owner outside Doncaster prison. Towed to Kent and moored at Medway to be refitted as a houseboat.  

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

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