A sad narrowboat at Lapworth

There are always reminders of the days when the canals were the domain of the working boats. I love seeing some of these historic boats when they are restored, particularly on the move. There are well known ones such as President and its butty Kildair and even Flyboat Saturn.

Flyboat Saturn

Epiphany passing Flyboat Saturn

But I feel sad when I see decaying and forgotten old boats, I just hope the one we saw at Lapworth has a future ......

Heritage is not only the canal infrastructure and buildings, it is also the boats of the past and their ghost owners.

We made out the name and think it is "Gruffler"

Gruffler

Gruffler moored in the Lapworth Arm

Here are a selection of photos showing the detail of this old boat. I hope you are as fascinated as I was!

stern cabin

Cabin and tiller with some of the decoration still visible

hold

Hold and bulkheads

front end and door

Front end bulkhead and door

rivets

Close up of the rivets and a bit of plumbing

bow door

The door is a lovely blue on the other side

fore end

The front end cupboards have a label - "fore end battery"

So I wonder whether one day Gruffler will look "as good as new". If anyone knows any history about this boat I woould love to hear it. 

old and new

Old and new on the Lapworth Arm

These web sites are also worth a look if you are really interested in finding out more about our heritage of historic canal boats.

Roger Fuller's FMC Boats

The History of the Narrowboat Steamer ... so far

The Historic Narrowboat Owners Club

Narrowboat Epiphany's Gallery of Historic boats we have seen

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