Name Kenelm

KENELM was built in March 1937 for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company by Harland and Wolff and registered in Rickmansworth in January 1938, registration number 194, under the name of EPSOM. She is a full length large Woolwich town class steel narrowboat with a riveted hull. Originally intended GUCCC pairing with butty 279, Ewell 1946 - Owned by Flixborough Shipping Co June 1950 - Became John Knill's KENELM and is featured in his book, John Knill’s Navy, which details his time working the cut during 1950 to 1955 when he sold his narrowboat fleet to Samuel Barlow Coal company. 

This was due to the decline of canals losing out to road and rail haulage. Kenelm also features in other historic books including Tom Foxons ‘Anderton for orders’ who worked for John Knill and captained Kenelm for a time. 1957 - Re-registered for Samuel Barlow Coal Co KENELM has had various private owners and bought but her current owner in 2025.. She was used to carry coal and salt around the canal network either with an open deck or under canvas.

 Her restorations have kept the original cabin exterior paintwork as per the John Knill era and still has an old Lister HA2 engine housed in a traditional engine room and retains the boatmans cabin at the rear, including traditional scumbling woodwork and painted roses and castles. The front of the narrowboat still keeps some of the traditional cloth coverings, although the cabin has been extended to allow for more usable living space.