Princess Anne | National Historic Ships

Registration number 3599

Status Registered

paula.palmer

Previous names

1935 - 1941 PLATO
1941 - 1948 ANNIE ELIZA
1948 PRINCESS ANNE

Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Narrow Boat

Location Braunston

Vessel type Narrowboat - Star Class Woolwich

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Harland & Wolff Ltd, Woolwich

Built in 1935

Hull material Iron

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Number of masts 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

0.08 feet (0.03m)

Depth

3.17 feet (0.97m)

Air Draft

5.00 feet (1.52m)

Length: Overall

57.50 feet (17.53m)

Tonnage: Gross

16.00

History

PRINCESS ANNE was built by Harland & Woolf at Woolwich in 1935 as a Star Class Small Woolwich narrow boat. She was originally known as PLATO and was employed working for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company (GUCCC). She was sold to Proberts in 1941, and was sold again to T&S Elements of Birmingham, for use as a full length tug on the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). She continued in this role until about 1968, when sold into private ownership. She was then shortened and converted into a live aboard, although she was subsequently returned to her carrying trim, but with a reduced length of 57 feet 6 inches.

Update, July 2026: Vessel for sale.

Key dates

1935
Built by Harland and Wolfe at Woolwich as Star Class Little Woolwich narrow boat originally known as PLATO
1941
Sold to Proberts and then to T&S Elements of Birmingham for use as full length tug on Birmingham Canal Navigation
1968
Sold into private ownership and shortened and converted into live aboard
2010?
Subsequently returned to her carrying trim with a reduced length of 57.5 feet