Name Southall

SOUTHALL was built in 1936, one of 38 'Large Northwich' motor narrowboats built by W J Yarwood & Sons for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company as part of their major fleet expansion. These had the entire hull built in riveted steel, unlike the slightly earlier 'Small Northwich' boats which were of composite construction with iron sides and elm bottoms, but with a conventional flat bottom rather than the V bottom of the 'Middle Northwiches'. She was delivered to the GUCCC on 21st November 1936 and received fleet number 171. 

Intended to be paired with the 'Large Ricky' butty SOUTHAM, she was photographed in 1939 with sister boat STARCROSS. Like other Grand Union boats the main cargos would have been imports and exports transhipped in the London docks. Joining the British Transport Commission fleet upon nationalisation in 1948, she was soon transferred to maintenance duties and remained in that role from 1949 to 1994 - far longer than her life in commercial carrying. 

The hull was shortened during this period, with ~15ft removed near the aft end of the hold to fit the short locks of the Calder & Hebble Navigation. A new welded steel cabin was fitted, the counter was shortened by a few inches with a flat section replacing the original curve, and the Russell Newbery DM2 engine was replaced by a Lister HA2. Sold by British Waterways into private ownership in 1994, the boat was in poor condition and has spent most of the last 30 years out of the water with work done intermittently. The BW maintenance cabin was removed and a replica of the original type added. The counter was reconstructed to approximately the original shape but with the depth of the swim reduced by 2", and the baseplate and footings under the cabin were replaced in welded steel. Other parts of the hull have received welded let-in plates but retained the riveted construction. The engine was removed, and will be replaced by another HA2. 

SOUTHALL changed hands in late 2025 and remains under repair.