Registration number 351
Status Registered
a12admin
Water Ouzel - starboard bow
Water Ouzel under way - stern view

Previous names

  • 1935 - 1958 Sun

Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Barge
Location Rickmansworth
Current use Commercial Activity
Available to hire Yes
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Harland & Wolff Ltd, Woolwich
Built in 1935
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
6.10 feet (1.86m)
Depth
2.60 feet (0.79m)
Length: Overall
72.00 feet (21.96m)
Tonnage: Gross
28.00

History

Built in 1935 by Harland & Wolff of Woolwich, WATER OUZEL is a narrow boat converted for passenger use in 1955. She has a capacity for 50 passengers. Her former name was SUN and she was part of a cargo carrying fleet. After conversion for passenger use, she was first used as a Zoo Waterbus on the Regent's Canal in London and then sold in 1964 to the Midlands, where she operated passenger services at Rugby and Braunston.

Key dates

  • 1935

    Built as a commercial carrying motor narrowboat named SUN by Harland & Wolf at Woolwich
  • 1955

    Converted for passenger carrying use by British Waterways
  • 1960s

    In use as one of the zoo waterbuses on the Regents Canal
  • 1964

    Sold and taken to the Midlands
  • 1995

    In use for public and charter trips on the Oxford and Grand Union Canals
  • 1998

    In use in London by current owners who operate the Waterbus Service

Sources

Hamer, Geoffrey, Trip Out 1995/6 - A Guide to the Passenger Boat Services of the British Isles, G P Hamer, 1995

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