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FMC Steamers..............FMC Butty boats. ..............Midlands and Coast. .............FMC Motor boats.

BOLD lettering indicates the original boat name; new names in plain text.

In 1837, James Fellows started a canal carrying business in West Bromwich, which rapidly expanded, with his boats regularly trading to London. The business grew, and a move was made to Tipton. James died in 1860, and his son Joshua took over the family business. The boats, known affectionately as "Joshers", became well known for the fine fore-ends, many of the boats still in existance today. The company went into voluntary liquidation in November 1948, having incurred a trading loss, the assets being acquired by the British Transport Commission.

FMC Steamers.

In 1889, the company of Fellows Morton & Clayton Ltd. came into being, a merger between Fellows Morton & Co, and part of the fleet of William Clayton. Three directors were appointed; Mr Joshua Fellows; Mr Frederick Morton; and Mr Thomas Clayton. The majority of the boats taken over by the new company were horse-drawn, but steamers were just coming into use, with a few being taken over by the new FMC. William Clayton's dock down the Garrison locks at Saltley, was taken over and became the principal boatbuilding dock for the company. Prior to 1896, all boatbuilding at the dock was wooden, but production then switched to composite, ( iron sides and elm bottoms). Wooden steamers built at Saltley included PHOENIX, built 1894; DUKE built 1895, and EARL built 1895.The first composite steamer was PRINCESS built in 1896, and the last being VICTORY in 1911.

The steam engines were either made by A.H.Beasley of Uxbridge, or made by FMC themselves to a design of W. H. & A. H. Haines of Birmingham. Due to the weight of the boiler, and the space it required, only 12 tons of cargo could be carried. However, the engines being powerful meant that a butty could be towed, bringing the total tonnage on a trip to around 35.

The boilers consumed coke, which being lightweight also took up more space on the boat. The propellors were 3ft in diameter, and thus an empty boat would draw 3ft 6in at the stern, and a similar draught loaded, but the boat then being level in the water. Eventually all the steamers were converted to motor boats. A number of FMC steamers still exist, but only 2 with new steam installations; MONARCH, and PRESIDENT. Other iron composite steamers still with us are; MARQUIS (1898); EMPRESS (1898); PRINCE (1898); COLONEL (1899); BARON (1898); ADMIRAL (1905); VICEROY (1909); VULCAN (1910); SULTAN (1899); ; and VANGUARD (1911).

...........................................................................................FMC steamer, MONARCH; built 1908 Regd at Brm. No 1201.

Fellows Morton & Clayton Steamers; the complete list.

ADMIRAL; 1905, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1157.Converted to motorboat 1924. Sold to Barlows 1941. Shortened to 57ft at Charity dock, converted, engine Lister SR3. Moored on Caldon Canal 1980's. Rebuilt at Dimmingsdale on S&W. Currently on Leicester section at Debdale Marina.

BARON; 1898, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1015. Converted to motorboat 1915.The first steamer to have a Bolinder fitted, E type, Job No 839. Sold to Joseph Holloway of Oldbury.Rebuilt WFB Co 1989, Bolinder 1053 diesel fitted. Unconverted trading condition, and based at Denham on the GU. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

BARONESS; 1898, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1020.Converted to motorboat and re-named BRITON 1915.

COUNT; 1899, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1036. Converted to motorboat 1925. Shortened for tugging on the BCN; sold to Ernest Thomas, re-named ENTERPRISE. Now privately owned, and powered by a Gardner 5L2. At Crick in May with BCN day boat BHP No2.

COUNTESS; 1897, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 987. Converted to motorboat and re-named CAPTAIN 1924. On Dickinsons contract in 1901 with butty MAUD until 1927. 1940 city boat motor captained by Tom Boswell. 1960 owned by C.W.Mitchard, Tipton and re-named VICTORY. Shortened to 50ft, and later stretched to 60ft. Converted, and based at Gayton Jcn.

COLONEL; 1899, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1040. Converted to motorboat 1924. G.J.Gauge No 11607. When shortened by Ernest Thomas, the boat was called MERCURY. Recently lengthened using side plates from the FMC butty BRENTFORD. Now based on the GU at Uxbridge.

DUCHESS; 1887, Toll End, wooden. Regd Brm 841. Sold out of FMC 1893.

DUKE; 1895, Saltley wooden. Regd Brm 930. Dismantled 1923.

DUTEOUS; 1923, Uxbridge wooden. Regd Brm 1448. Converted to motorboat 1924. At some time the boat was called VICTORY. Ended it's life as Peter Keay's 70ft tug called THE DART. 1993 sunk on the BCN at Walsall.

EARL; 1895, Saltley wooden. Regd Brm 939. Sold out of FMC 1925. Sunk on Northern Oxford.

EMPEROR; No 238;1898, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1006. Converted to motorboat 1917. Sold by FMC to Thos Clayton after WW2 for use as a gas boat. Thought to have been cut up on the BCN for scrap.

EMPRESS; 1898, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1009. Converted to motorboat and re-named ENVOY 1919. 1928 captained by Alf Aldridge with butty SWEDEN. Based on Caldon Canal 1975, engine Fordson 4D. Extn cabin built 1979, and engine Thorneycroft RJ2.1993 cabin rebuilt in steel by Canal Cruising Co. Attended Crick boat show in May, and Middlewich in June.Now rebuilt in working trim with Armstrong AS2, and paired with FMC butty ILFORD. At Stourbridge Oct 2000.

GENERAL; 1907, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1192. Converted to motorboat 1924.

HECLA; 1886, Toll End wooden. Regd Brm 803. Dismantled 1921.

HECLA (II); 1922, Uxbridge wooden. Regd Brm 1436. Converted to motorboat 1924.New wooden motor hull with bits of HECLA. Sold to Barlows 1941/2. Ended life in Harefield flash.

MARQUIS; No 237;1898, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1002. Converted to motorboat 1925. Captained by Sam Slater on the GJC 1910. Sold to Joseph Holloway of Oldbury. Later sold to J. Haywood of Tipton, and re-named SALLY. Became a pleasure boat called CALYPSO. At some time shortened for tugging (54ft).New cabin built Spring 2000 at Brinklow. Engine Lister FR3. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

MONARCH; 1908, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1201. Converted to motorboat 1925. Was BW maintenance boat Macc Canal. Based at Ellesmere Port 1980's. Engine Gardner 2L2 from NCB boat FRED now on dry land at Astley Green Colly. Boat sold and shortened to 62ft at Longport Wharfe, in 1992, (middle plates scrapped). Converted and steam engine fitted. Based on the Macc Canal at Bollington, 1998, now on the Northern Oxford, Oct 2000. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

PHOENIX; 1893, Saltley wooden. Regd Brm 886. Dismantled 1925.

PIRATE; 1894, Saltley wooden. Regd Brm 900. Sold out of FMC 1902.

PRESIDENT; 1909, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1212. Converted to motorboat 1925. Captained by the Boswells in 1941. Maintenance boat BW on Macc Canal. Rebuilt Norton Canes to steamer, now owned by the Black Country Museum. At Middlewich rally in June with butty KILDARE.

PRINCE; 1898, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1011. Converted to motorboat 1926. 1978 at Audlem bottom lock. Sold around 1980 in very poor state. Now rebuilt and unconverted, based at Malkins Bank T&M.

PRINCESS; 1896, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 959. Converted to motorboat and re-named PILOT 1924. 1901 to 1927 on Dickinsons paper run with butty MAY.

QUEEN; 1887, Toll End wooden. Regd Wolverhampton 591. Dismantled 1910.

SPEEDWELL; No 2;1894, Saltley wooden. Regd Brm 892. Dismantled 1925.

SWAN; 1911, Uxbridge wide beam, wooden. Regd Uxbridge 457. Dismantled.

SULTAN; 1899, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1034. Converted to motorboat 1924. Owned by Alfred Matty. For sale 1981. In 1993 sunk at Stretton on SUC. Oct 2000 in kit form on the bank at Stretton.

THE KING; 1905, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1152. Converted to motorboat 1925. At Battlebridge basin 1983. Converted at Braunston in 1999.

VANGUARD; 1911, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1243. Converted to motorboat 1926. 1947 with butty SPAIN on GU, captained by J.Fitchford Jnr. 1983 for sale unconverted with JP2, new cabin and bottom. Now has extended cabin, based on the Ashby.

VICEROY; 1909, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1214. Converted to motorboat 1927. Attended Middlewich rally in June 2000.

VICTORIA; No 117;1887, Toll End wooden. Regd Brm 884. Dismantled 1919.

VICTORY; 1911, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1247. Converted to motorboat 1927. Became James Yates's tug PACIFIC. Re-named MALLARD when converted to a hire boat. Oct 2000 at Stockton.

VULCAN; 1910, Saltley composite. Regd Brm 1226. VULCAN was used experimentally to test a Crossley gas engine in 1906, which survived in the boat until 1910 when the steam plant was replaced. The space taken up by the gas engine was similar to the steam plant, but economies were made with fuel and crew numbers. Converted to motorboat 1927. 1979 rebuilt at Keay's, Walsall. 1983 for sale with JP2. 1987 for sale with under cloth fit out. Now based at Little Venice, London.

FMC butty boats.

FMC had a continuous building and repairing programme for the fleet, with butties being built at Uxbridge (wooden), or Saltley (wooden and iron composites). Building commenced at Saltley around 1895 with over 50 butties being built up to 1912 named mainly after towns in England. Some of these are listed below, with building dates, and (I) indicating composite build.

English Town class Josher butties.

Foreign Town and Country class.

Also built at Saltley, were another batch of butties, all iron composite, and named after foreign towns and countries. These and were built between 1898 and 1912. Not yet a complete listing, but these are some of the class.

1912 saw the end of butty building at Saltley, except for two; FAZELEY and FORWARD built in 1921 and 1922 respectively. Saltley dock then became the centre for FMC motor boat production, the first being LINDA in 1912.

Braithwaite and Kirk Josher butties.

In 1912, FMC commissioned Braithwaite and Kirk of West Bromwich to build 24 iron composite butties, at £190 each. They are recognised by having much finer fore-ends than the Saltley butties, with very little tumblehome on the top bends. Many of the class had fore-cabins, and the majority were named after towns. The batch commenced with GRANGE in May 1912, and was completed in April 1914 with YARMOUTH. Particularly well regarded by boaters, they will bow haul into a lock at almost any angle without stopping. Braithwaite and Kirk butty KILDARE, now paired with PRESIDENT, pictured on the T & M canal.

Braithwaite Josher butties; the full list.

The first number is the FMC fleet number, name, and building date.

The Uxbridge River and Girl class Josher butties.

From 1896 the Uxbridge yard was building wooden butties, named after towns, with around 40 being built up to 1912. In 1917 a batch of 8 river class boats were built, the majority being as follows. AIRE (1917); DART (1919); DEE (1919); EXE (1921); and EVENLODE (1922)

From 1922 to 1933 27 butties of the Girl class were built, the first being ADA, and the last JOAN. The boats are listed below.

Other boat-builders for FMC.

In 1906 W.E.Costin of Berkhampstead built 2 butties; MERIONETH and MONTGOMERY. Two iron composite butties were built by Harris's of Netherton; MADELEY and MALVERN in 1928. Both have been rebuilt in recent years to motorboats, but the stern end of MALVERN is now on AUSTRALIA; the original having perished in the flashes at Broken Cross. In 1926 Nursers built EMSCOTE, and in 1929 BASCOTE. Sephtons of Tusses Bridge constructed DEVON and DORSET in 1925 and 1926, and Lees and Atkins of Polesworth built 3 named after counties, ESSEX, SUSSEX, and WESSEX. Five more county class boats were built, being MIDDLESEX, SOMERSET, NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, and CORNWALL.

F.M.C. Horse drawn and butty boats.

Boat names in RED are extant.

ADA; No 1; Wooden butty built with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 485, 9/11/1922.

AIRE; No 50, wooden butty boat, with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 23211, 22/7/1920.

AMY; No 3, Wooden butty built with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 610, 2/3/1923.

ALBERT; No 176, Wooden butty , BCN gauging No 545, 11/1/1923.

ANKER; No 51, Wooden butty , BCN gauging No 1308, 15/7/1927.

ARRAS; No 177, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 630, 31/3/1923.

AUSTRALIA; Iron composite butty , Saltley built. Rescued from the flashes at Broken Cross T & M, and rebuilt with the stern end of FMC butty MALVERN. Now part of the South Midland fleet, and regularly loaded. The original stern is still in existance. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

BASCOTE; No 89, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1651, 22/12/1930.

BAUKER; No 134, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1072, 29/7/1925.

BEATRICE; No 4, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 627, 27/3/1923.

BELGIUM; Iron composite butty, Saltley built. Bought by Willow Wren and re-named, CYGNET,1958. Ex Gordon Waddington, and Cowburn & Cowpar. At Braunston in 1981 for re-bottoming and new counter. Former name, GLADYS. Fully converted, with motor stern, and currently (2001) as Gas Street.

BESSIE; No 5, Wooden butty, with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 549, 17/1/1923.

BLACKCOCK; Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1299, 18/6/1927.

BRENTFORD; Iron composite butty, Saltley built. Sold to Boots of Nottingham for transhipment of coal to the works. It later was used as a landing stage on the Trent, and eventually sank. It was raised, and moved to Shardlow, where the boat was cut in half; the fore end being made into a boat now at Aylesbury.

BRIGADIER; No 768, Iron butty boat with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 830, 9/4/1924.

CLARA; No7, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 784, 31/12/1923.

CLYDE; No 52, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 1372, 1/2/1928.

CONSTANCE; No 6, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 792, 15/1/1924.

CONWAY; No 59, wooden butty boat, with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 23194, 25/6/1920. Sold to T & S Element 27/5/1942, re-named RUBY.

CORNWALL; No 256, Wooden butty boat, BCN gauging No 1707, 4/1/1932.

DILYS; No 16, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 785, 31/12/1923.

DART; No 245, Uxbridge built, 1919, wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 849, 30/4/1924.

DEE; No 247, Uxbridge built, 1919, wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 896, 28/7/1924.

DEVON; No 36, Wooden butty boat, BCN gauging No 1281, 1/4/1927.

DOROTHY; No 22, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 989, 1/1/1925.

DORSET; No 49, Wooden butty , BCN gauging No 1262, 5/3/1927.

EDITH; No 23, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1177, 15/7/1926.

ELSIE; No 30, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1169, 18/6/1926.

EMSCOTE; No 88, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1561, 19/2/1930.

ESSEX; No 27, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1175, 12/7/1926.

EVELYN; No 60, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1362, 7/12/1927.

EVENLODE; No 120, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 525, 14/12/1922.

EXE; No 110, Wooden butty, built 1921. BCN gauging No 187, 4/3/1922. Built with fore cabin.

FAIRYFIELD; No 174, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 581, 6/2/1923.

FANNY; No 115, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1364, 2/1/1928.

FAY; No 118, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1457, 18/12/1928.

FAZELEY; No 113. Cabined iron butty, Saltley built, BCN gauging No 851, 3/5/1924. In 1970's was paired with FMC NAUTILUS. Now owned by South Midland, and is regularly loaded and paired with FMC CLOVER. Attended Braunston in July 2000 and loaded cardboard.

FLORENCE; No 117, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1607, 4/6/1930.

FORWARD; No 116, Iron butty boat, BCN gauging No 1151, 16/3/1926. GU gauging No 12159. Stern end now going forwards, around 40ft in length. The fore end is in Leicestershire awaiting a re-build. The fore-end was for many years up the weir stream at Kegworth painted white.

FREDA; No 123, wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1551, 17/1/1930.

GERMANY; Composite iron butty, Saltley built, converted to motor by Yarwoods 1938. See ENGLAND.

GERTIE; No137, wooden butty boat, built with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 8/1/1934.

GLADYS; No 146, wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1647, 18/11/1930.

GOSPORT; No 266, Unconverted iron composite butty; attended Etruria, Middlewich and Braunston events, 2000.

GRACE; No 162, wooden butty BCN gauging 1514, 27/7/1929.

GRACOW; No 182, Wooden butty BCN gauging No 800, 31/1/1924.

GRANGE; No 261, Braithwaite & Kirk composite butty boat, rebuilt as a 70ft motorboat, converted and powered by a Kelvin J2. GRANGE END; the stren end of FMC butty GRANGE No 261 now going forwards. Extant at Marsworth Oct 2000.

GRETA; No 180, wooden butty boat, BCN gauging No 1679, 22/6/1931.

GRIMSBY; Saltley built, 1910. Willow Wren name; TEAL; Iron butty boat. Bought from Gordon Waddington in Nov 1954. Possibly owned by Cowburn and Cowpar as MINNIE. Registered at Coventry No 550. Sold to the Longboat Pub at Cambrian View B.ham (there in 1988). Recently known as SQUIRREL and at Marsworth.

HEREFORD; No 268, Braithwaite & Kirk composite butty boat, with full length cabin, and workshop based at Trent Lock, Sawley.

HAMPTON; No 267, Braithwaite & Kirk composite butty boat, motorised with original butty stern and hydraulic motor in the rudder. Now with under cloth conversion based at Battlebridge basin.

HILDA; No 158, Wooden butty boat, built with fore cabin. BCN gauging No 1692, 4/9/1931.

IDA; No 184, wooden butty boat, built with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 1881, 11/12/1935.

ILFORD; No 269, Braithwaite & Kirk composite butty boat, Unconverted butty; at Awbridge on the S&W to load coal (Oct 2000). Now paired with the FMC steamer EMPRESS.

IPSWICH; Composite butty boat, Steel conversion under cloths, and based at Foxton.

IRENE; No 192, Wooden butty boat, built with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 1761, 10/5/1933.

IVY; No 224, wooden butty boat with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 1780, 18/10/1933.

JOHN; No 272; Braithwaite & Kirk composite butty boat, 1912. The fore-end of JOHN is now on the FMC motor JACKAL; paired with HEREFORD at Trent Lock; Sawley.

KATE; No 146, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 644, 20/4/1923.

KESWICK; Mostly unconverted, but with longer back cabin below Claydon lock.

KILDARE; Iron composite butty, Paired with PRESIDENT Summer 2000. During Willow Wren ownership, KILDARE was re-named SNIPE.

KILSBY; No 275. BCN gauging No 129, 20/10/1921. Built with fore cabin. Re-named HELSBY, and used as a mud boat (MB No 4) on the Bridgewater Dept of the MSC.

KINGSTOWN; No 278. Re-named KERRY in the early 1920's. Shortened for tugging by Ernest Thomas, and re-named BIRCHILLS. At the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port.

KINGSBURY; No 277. Iron composite butty, BCN gauging No 22659, 3/5/1917. Sold to Ernest Thomas in 1946, re-named NANCY, and re-numbered No 45. Re- gauged 6/3/1946. A fore cabin was then added.Un converted butty, privately owned Leicester section GU.

LEICESTER; No 41, wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1167, 19/5/1926.

LONGTON; No 32, cabined iron butty boat, BCN gauging No 1196, 2/9/1926. Motorised butty, with under cloth conversion. Based at Pewsey on the K & A.

MADELEY; No 165; Harris's of Netherton built composite butty. BCN gauging 1421, 30/8/1928.

MALVERN; No 166. BCN gauging 1423, 13/9/1928. Built with a fore cabin. Converted boat based at Bugbrooke on the GU. Composite butty built by W. Harris of Netherton in 1928. Paired with motor DOLPHIN. Sold to S. Barlow Coal Co Ltd in the war. Suffered a wall collapse on her at Gas Street. Later sold to a coal contractor, and then passed on to M.E.Braine, coming from Saltley basin. In 1962, she was sold to Shropshire Union Cruises, at Norbury, and disused until 1965 when she was sold into private ownership. In 1985 she was converted to a motor on Stone top dock, by Martin Fuller.

MIDDLESEX; No 255, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1612, 17/6/1930.

NORFOLK; No 243, wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1632, 18/9/1930.

NORTHOLT. Currently named SUNNY VALLEY after the film work, and part of the South Midland fleet. Jan 2001, at Brinklow having a new cabin fitted.

NORWAY; Shortened to 57ft in 1974, and made into a trip boat called ATILLA. Operating on the Bridgewater canal. NORWIND; The rear end of NORWAY, made into a 42ft boat. At Huddlesford in 1981.

OPHELIA; Ex SUC No 643, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1143, 27/2/1926.

PERSIA; Converted and motorised; 50ft boat, original fore-end, new counter; seen at Newbold.

RHINE; No 280, re-named ROSE during World war 1.

RUGBY; No 279, Iron composite butty boat, BCN gauging No 22735, 12/7/1917. Sold to Associated Canal Carriers.

SARDIS; No 224, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 514, 7/12/1922.

SESOSTRIS; No 172, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 629, 31/3/1923.

SIR W ROBERTSON; No 208, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1140, 18/2/1926.

SOCRATES; Ex SUC No 703, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 493, 23/11/1922.

SOMERSET; No 254, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1668, 1/5/1931.

SUFFOLK; No 248, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1653, 9/1/1931.

SUSSEX; No 24, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1174, 7/7/1926.

TASMANIA; Iron composite Saltley built butty boat. Shortened and motorised; at Middlewich and Birmingham events.

TIVIDALE; No 230, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1139, 18/2/1926.

UPWOOD; No 283, Unconverted butty, wooden bottom, steel back and fore cabins, based at Denham on the GU. This boat is currently called KERRY.

UXBRIDGE. One time houseboat at Paddington.

VENICE; Recently (2000) refurbished with under cloth conversion. Oct 2001 at Alvecote, Coventry Canal.

VERBENA; No 203, Iron composite butty, BCN gauging No 22624, 1/3/1917. Sold to G Mellor & Co Ltd.

VIOLET; No 98, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 625, 23/3/1923.

WALSALL; No 229, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 996, 16/1/1925.

WESSEX; No 28, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 1142, 26/2/1926.

WHISPERER; cabined wooden ex S.U. horseboat No 772. BCN gauging No 22762, 11/9/1917. Sold to FMC 5/3/1926. Re sold to the G.U.C.C.Co.

WILLOW; No 231, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 977, 11/12/1924.

WISDOM; No 233, Wooden butty with fore cabin, BCN gauging No 583, 6/2/1923.

YEADING; No 235, Iron composite butty boat, BCN gauging No 23121, 4/3/1920.

YIEWSLEY; No 167, Iron composite butty boat, BCN gauging No 23135, 26/3/1920.

YPRES; Ex SUC No 729, Wooden butty, BCN gauging No 992, 2/1/1925.

Conversions to motorboats.

Between 1937 and 1939, a number of butty boats were converted to motors, by Yarwoods of Northwich. Fitting out was completed at Saltley, and eight of the motors had fore-cabins. The date of conversion follows the boat name.

Midlands and Coast fleet absorbed.

On the 1st July 1938 the canal carrying company of Midlands and Coast, of Wolverhampton was absorbed into the FMC fleet. Some fine boats came with the purchase, the list being as follows, with an update on known condition and locations.

ARIEL; 1935 Motor,Yarwoods built . Fitted with a 10hp Petter. In 1938 became FMC No 351, Regd at Wolverhampton No 1143. Used as maintenance boat BW North West, with the fore-end cut off, (later scrapped at Hayhurst). Sold by BW and became derelict on the T & M. Fitted with an Ailsa Craig 4 cylinder diesel, it was craned out onto Rode Heath wharf around 1993. Stern end currently at Stockton, the middle section being in a boat in Bristol docks.

MERMAID; Motor

JUPITER; Butty

POLE STAR; 1922 Nurser built butty. Converted to motor at Old Hill dock in 1934. Sold to E.Thomas.

ORION; 1923 cabined wooden horseboat, Nurser built. Regd at Wolverhampton No 1127. BCN gauging No 832, 9/4/1924.

THE NORTH; 1926 Yarwoods built composite butty. BCN gauging No 1136, 16/2/1926. Converted to 44ft tug, Harris's, in 1937, renamed CROWN. Fitted with a 30hp Petter semi diesel.Sold to Hingley's in 1937. Rebuilt at Norton Canes, and now named LION. Converted, and now 70ft in length, based at Braunston.

MERCURY 1926 Yarwoods built composite butty, with fore cabin. BCN gauging No 1173, 1/7/1926.Based on the K & A Canal at Bradford on Avon.

LEO; 1927 Yarwoods built composite butty. BCN gauging No 1313, 10/8/1927. Converted to motor-boat 1935, by Harris's of Netherton and re-named JUBILEE; fitted with a 12hp Petter. New BCN gauging No 1873. Became FMC No 347, regd at Wolverhampton No 1144. Sold to E.Thomas in 1939. Worked as a trip boat based at Great Haywood for many years. Now privately owned, this boat has recently been restored to trading condition.

TAURUS ;1927 Built by Yarwoods; composite butty. BCN gauging No 1323, 2/9/1927. Length 71ft 2". Until recently used by Inland Waterway Holiday Cruises as the hotel boat TAURUS. The boat was re-named TURTLE, when in the BW North West carrying fleet. The current TAURUS is ex GUCC butty CRATER.

DIAMOND; 1928 Built by John Crichton, Saltney Ferry, Chester; composite butty. BCN gauging 1417, 21/8/1928. At the Black Country Museum as a static exhibit at the boat dock.

SPADE; 1928 Built by John Crichton, Saltney Ferry, Chester, composite butty. BCN gauging 1426, 20/9/1928. Motorised, and shortened, recognisable by the "snakes" guards on the fore-end.

APOLLO; 1929 John Crichton, Saltney Ferry, Chester, composite butty. BCN gauging 1490, 15/5/1929. Length 70ft 10". Converted to motor-boat 1936 and fitted with an 18hp Petter. Became FMC No 349, regd at Wolverhampton No 1147. Sold to E.Thomas; fitted with a petrol/paraffin TVO engine.

STAR; 1929 Built by John Crichton, Saltney Ferry, Chester, composite butty. BCN gauging No 1497, 20/6/1929. Length 70ft 8". Boat built with a fore cabin.

THE FMC MOTOR BOAT FLEET.

The first F.M.C. motor boat to be constructed was the LINDA, built in 1912, and fitted with the E type Bolinder semi Diesel engine, rated at 15hp. The early composite Josher motors were built deep draughted, to suit a steamer blade, in case the early experiments with Diesel did not work out. The first 16 boats were Saltley built, with the exception of LINDOLA, a wooden motor with 10hp Bolinder from the Uxbridge yard. Butty production ceased at Saltley in 1912, the contracts going to Braithwaite & Kirk of West Bromwich. Further wooden motors came from the Uxbridge yard between 1916 with QUAIL, and 1921 with SEAGULL. At this time, the Saltley yard was busy converting older steamers to motor boats.

..........FMC motorboat DRAGON and FAZELEY.

The first motors from W. J. Yarwoods of Northwich appeared in 1923 with ADDER, the first of an order for 12 composite motors. A further 12 were ordered in 1925 and 6 more in 1927. All these craft were fitted with Bolinder engines, with the cabins being built at Saltley or Uxbridge. Between 1930 and 1935 more hulls came from Yarwoods, with coppered steel being used for the hull plates on 5 craft.

In 1933 the Fish class motors were ordered from Yarwoods, being composite in construction, and powered by a 9hp Bolinder, designed to work as a single motor. A number of these boats had fore cabins for family crew members, as no butty worked with these boats.A number of the iron composite butties were converted to motor boats in 1937, all the work on the hulls being done at Yarwoods.

The last boats to be built were the Hill class, with wooden motors CLEE, CLENT, and CHILTERN coming from Uxbridge in 1947, and MALVERN, MENDIP and GORSE coming from Yarwoods in 1949/51. Fortunately, many of the FMC boats are still with us, but some are still at risk. The QUAIL was broken up only last Autumn (2000), and at the time was the oldest surviving FMC wooden boat in existance.

The F.M.C. Motor-boat list.

The date listed is that of the boat being commissioned as a motor. Some boats are older as they were either steamers or butty boats, and were converted by FMC.

ACACIA; No 300, 1931 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1535. BCN gauging No 1740, 14/9/1932. Length 71ft 0". 1987 based on the Caldon Canal as BW maintenance boat. Sold to M E Braine, 1989. Fully converted, based at Norton Canes.

ADDER; No 285, 1923 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1451. BCN gauging No 676, 14/6/1923. Shortened to 62ft. Based at Bingley on the L & L. The original 15hp Bolinder went into ENGLAND.

ADMIRAL; No 105, 1924 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1539. BCN gauging No 1065, 9/7/1925. Length 71ft 3". See FMC steamers for info.

ALDER; No 301; 1931.Coppered steel, elm bottoms.Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1536. BCN gauging No 1787, 11/12/1933. Length 70ft 8". BW maintenance boat at Northwich in 1989. The stern had been cut off, and the boat was 50ft in length, with cabins at each end for the painters. Sold into private ownership 1990, and rebuilt as a 57ft motorboat at Ellesmere Port. Fully converted, with back cabin, and Gardner 2L2, ex MONARCH and FRED. Oct 2000 at Dutton T&M.

ANTELOPE; No 287; 1923 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1452. BCN gauging No 978, 11/12/1924. Length 71ft 5". Became Willow Wren GREBE. Oct 2000 at Stone and fully converted.

APOLLO; No 349; 1st July 1938 (entered FMC fleet). Iron composite built 1929 by Crichtons of Saltney Ferry, Nr Chester for Midlands & Coast C.C.Co. as a horseboat. Regd BCN No 1490 on 15 May 1929. Registered at Wolverhampton No 1130 on July 8th 1929. In Sept 1936, converted to a motor boat by Harris's of Netherton, re- registered at Wolverhampton No 1147 on 15th Sept 1936, and new BCN No 1917 on 17th July 1936. February 1943 the fore cabin was removed at Saltley, and Registered at Birmingham No 1626 on 19th Feb 1943. In May 1946, she was sold to Ernest Thomas,(Walsall) Ltd, and had a new BCN No 2257 on 11th Sept 1946. In January 1951 she was shortened to 56ft, a Fordson engine fitted, and re named DOT No 4. Around 1968 she was sold to M.E.Braine. Dec 1970 sold to Apollo Canal Cruises of Shipley. Dec 1970 to April 1971 converted to a trip boat, with an Ailsa Craig 20 hp diesel. Winter 1972, new back cabin fitted, and re engined with a Fordson 4D. Winter 1973, re engined with Lister HRW2 fitted by Keadby Marine. Around 1988, a new steel bottom was fitted by the company. Currently in use as a trip boat at Shipley.

APPLE; No302; 1932 Steel Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1537. BCN gauging No 1878, 20/11/1935. Length 70ft 8".Currently in Bristol Docks, unconverted. Previously owned by Threefellows Carrying of Long Eaton.

ARABIA; No 340; 1937 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1608. Built with fore cabin. BCN gauging No 1975, 18/8/1937. Length 72ft0". Shortened to 50ft, converted, and based at Marsworth GU.

ARIEL; No 351; 1938 Iron composite Regd Wolves. 1143. See Midlands & Coast for info.

ASTER; No 304 1932 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 579

AVIS; No 286; 1923 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1453. BCN gauging No 689, 6/7/1923.

AZALEA; No 305; 1932 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 580. BCN gauging No 1769, 19/7/1933. Length 71ft0". Craned onto the land at the end of the Engine arm on the BCN for rebuilding. The project failed, and the boat scrapped. Parts remain; table cupboard, and the engine, 15hp Bolinder is now in KANGAROO.

BARON; No 64;1915 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1015

BADGER; No 288; 1923 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1454. BCN gauging No 804, 5/2/1924, length 71ft0". Converted.

BEECH; No 328; 1935 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 587. BCN gauging No 1942, 27/1/1937. Length 70ft10". Largely rebuilt at Charity Dock in the 1980's.

BEGONIA; No 309; 1935 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 586. BCN gauging No 1920, 7/8/1936. Length 71ft0".

BISON; No 289; 1923 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1458. BCN gauging No 1302, 22/6/1927.Length 70ft 10".

BRAMBLE ;No 307; 1934 Steel Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 584

BREAM; No 310; 1933 Steel Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1545. BCN gauging No 1759, 28/4/1933. Length 70ft 4". This boat was cut towards the stern by BW, and the fore end part used for maintenance on the Coventry Canal. It was sold, and ended up in the middle of Fradley Airfield, where it was purchased in the 1980's, and a new stern added. Attended Middlewich rally in June. On fire, middle of the cabin at Meaford T & M December 2000. Stern end of BREAM was used as a pusher tug, but is now added to a BCN day boat. The original stern has the Bolinder fuel tank, and Armstrong Siddeley AS2.

BRIAR; No 330; 1935 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 588

BRILL; No 311; 1933 Uxbridge Wooden Regd Uxbridge 582. BCN gauging No 1779, 13/10/1933. Length 71ft 0". Broken up recently (2000) at Runcorn.

BRITON; No 240;1915 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1333. BCN gauging No 895, 28/7/1924. Length 70ft 6".

BUFFALO; No 290; 1924 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1459. BCN gauging No 943, 18/10/1924. Length 71ft 8". Shortened to 40ft, and converted. At Norwood on the GU.

CACTUS; No 329; 1935 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1567. The 100th motor boat built for FMC. Currently being rebuilt at Weston on the T & M near Stafford. To appear in full trading condition.

CAMEL; No 291; 1924 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1464. BCN gauging No 1013, 12/2/1925. Length 71ft 6". Was BW maintenance boat, North East, and sold into private ownership 1980's from Nottingham. Engine at the time was a Lister HA2. The boat initially went to Macclesfield, and has now been rebuilt at Stockton. Fully converted, the engine is now a Russell Newbery DM2, ex GUCC ELSTREE.

CAPTAIN ;No 217; 1924 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1466

CARP; No 312; 1934 Uxbridge Wooden Regd Uxbridge 583. BCN gauging No 1811, 20/7/1934. Length 71ft0".

CHILTERN; No 352; 1946 Uxbridge wooden Regd Brm 1627. BCN gauging No 2263, 6/11/1946. During the 1980's owned by Chas Hardern of Beeston on the SU. Sold or donated to Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, where it currently resides.

CHUB; No 313; 1934 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1547. BCN gauging No 1806, 18/6/1934. Length 71ft 2".

CLEE; No 353; 1947 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 599. Recently had major rebuilding work done at Charity Dock Bedworth.

CLEMATIS; No 331; 1935 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1573. BCN gauging No 1882, 6/1/1936. Length 70ft8". Privately owned unconverted motor, based at Moore on the Bridgewater Canal.

CLENT; No 354; 1947 Uxbridge wooden. Regd Uxbridge 600. Extant Oct 2000, on the Oxford Canal.

CLOVER; No 332; 1935 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Uxbridge 589. Unconverted, and in 1970's was based at Chester. Engine was a Petter PD2, with air ducting coming out of the front engine room bulkhead. Now part of the South Midland fleet, and regularly loaded. Engine (2001) Lister HB2. Wooden back cabin and bottom.

COLONEL; No 65; 1924 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1548. BCN gauging No 1307, 14/7/1927. Length 70ft 3". See FMC steamers for info. Based on the GU at Uxbridge. Powered by Bolinder 15HP semi Diesel.

COLUMBIA; No 346; 1939 Iron Saltley .Regd Brm 1623. BCN gauging No 2069, 31/7/1939. Shortened to 54ft, and converted. Wooden bottom (1995). Engine Armstrong Siddeley AS2. Based on the Macclesfield Canal.

CORMORANT; No292; 1924 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1463. BCN gauging No 859, 20/5/1924. Length 70ft 6". Paired with butty BULBOURNE in 1933, and crewed by the Brookes family.

COTSWOLD;.No 355; Uxbridge wooden, scrapped before completion.

COUNT; No 47; 1899 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1036, on 4/8/1899. Twin tandem steam engine, coke fired. 1925 converted to a motor boat, fitted with a 15hp Bolinder. BCN gauging No 1162, 23/4/1926. Length 71ft 2". 1944, sunk by bombing in Birmingham, and sold in 1945 to Ernest Thomas of Walsall. Shortened to 52ft for tugging on the BCN. Engine, Gardner 5L2 Diesel, from 1931 Pagefield Paladin lorry, Reg JJ950. Parsons gearbox, driving prop 35"x25" via a 2:1 reduction.. Main use tugging; pulling day boats from Cannock to Birchills Power Station, Walsall. Became semi-derelict after 1960, and purchased by the present owners in 1973. Maintained in working tug condition.

CRANE; No 293; 1924 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm No 1470. BCN gauging No 979, 11/12.1924. Length 70ft 9".

CYPRESS; No 333; 1935 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1580. BCN gauging No 1886, 27/1/1936. Length 70ft 8".

DACE; No 314; 1934 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1552. BCN gauging No 1810, 13/7/1934. Length 71ft 0".

DAFFODIL; No 334; 1935 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 590

DAHLIA; No 335; 1936 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 591

DOLPHIN; No 294; Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1469. BCN gauging No 1032, 23/3/1925. Length 71ft 3". Converted, and moored at Winkwell.

DORY; No 315; 1934 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1553. BCN gauging No 1855, 20/5/1935. Length 70ft 8".

DOVE; No 295; 1925 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1475. BCN gauging No 1068, 22/7/1925. Length 70ft 5". Thought to be on the GU as BRITANNIA.

DUTEOUS; No 8; 1924 Uxbridge wooden Regd Brm 1448. BCN gauging No 1235, 30/12/1926. Length 72ft 0".

DRAGON; No 296; 1925 Iron Yarwoods .Regd Brm 1476. BCN gauging No 1071, 28/7/1925. Length 70ft 6". Currently at Brinklow undergoing a major re-build.

EAGLE; No 15; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1485. BCN gauging No 1228, 15/12/1926. Length 71ft 8".

ELK; No 17; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1489. BCN gauging No 1223, 30/11/1926. Length 71ft 9".Converted, with wooden cabin, based Poynton Macc Canal.

ELDER; No 336; 1936 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 592

EMU; No 18; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1490. BCN gauging No 1854, 17/5/1935.Length 70ft 10".

EMPEROR; No 238;1917 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1006. BCN gauging No 1079, 27/8/1925. Length 70ft 4 ".

ENGLAND; No 340; 1938 Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1615. BCN gauging No 103, 3/9/1921, length 72ft 1". Re gauged BCN 2011, 18/3/1938. Attended Middlewich rally in June, 2000. Based Teddesley S & W Canal. Fully converted with steel cabin, with Lister HRW3. Station boat fore end.

ENVOY; No 168;1919 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1384. Ex steamer EMPRESS. Tours rally events in the summer months, and loads during the winter.

ERICA; No 337; 1937 Uxbridge wooden Regd Uxbridge 595.

FALCON; No 19; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 553. BCN gauging No 1215, 22/10/1926. Length 70ft 7". Rebuilt at Ellesmere Port 1980's. Based at Stourbridge on the BCN. Paired with the FMC butty VENICE.

FERN ;No 356; 1947 Steel Yarwoods .Regd Brm 1629. Spent many years at the Boat Museum Ellesmere Port in a gradually deteriorating state. Sold in Summer 2000 to an owner in Llangollen. Currently (2001) being fully converted on the bank at Whixall.

FERRET; No 58; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1492. BCN gauging No 1231, 21/12/1926. Length 72ft 0".

FOX; No 63; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 554. BCN gauging No 1586, 14/4/1930. Length 70ft 1".

FOXGLOVE; No 357; 1947 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1631

FRANCE ;No 338; 1937 Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1606. BCN gauging No 1963, 11/6/1937. Length 70ft6". Width 6ft 10.5". All the evidence points to JASON of Jason's trip being the original FRANCE.

GAILEY; No 341; 1937 Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1609. BCN gauging No 2025, 22/6/1938. In the BW North West Heritage fleet. Based T&M North. Attended Middlewich rally in June.

GAMBIA; No 344; 1938 Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1619. BCN gauging No 2045, 7/10/1938. Could well be one of the 7 chopped by BW in the North West.

GARDENIA; No 358; 1947 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1632. BW maintenance boat Northern T & M. Converted to a trip boat 1977 at Newark, and based at London Waterbus Co.

GENERAL; No 155; 1924 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1192. BCN gauging No 1552, 17/1/1930. Length 70ft 9".

GORSE; No 359; 1951 Steel Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 601. Fitted out at Uxbridge in 1951. The last Josher motor built. The fore-end half of the boat was later used as BW hire boat WATER LUPIN, and the stern made into a tug which is now privately owned.

GREYHOUND; No 69; 1926 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1493. BCN gauging No 1232, 22/12/1926. Length 71ft 3". In 1980's was at Matty's at Coseley, unconverted. Wooden cabin, and powered by a Bolinder 15HP semi Diesel. Now part of the South Midland fleet, regularly loaded with coal etc.

HANLEY; No 343; 1938 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1618. BCN gauging No 2039, 24/8/1938. Privately owned and based at Weston on the T & M.

HARE; No 71; 1926 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1495. BCN gauging No 1238, 7/1/1927. Length 71ft 6".

HAWK; No 70; 1927 Iron Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 555. BCN gauging No 1846, 13/3/1935. Length 70ft4".

HECLA(II); No 127; 1924 Uxbridge wooden Regd Brm 1436. BCN gauging 1410, 17/7/1928. Length 70ft 9".

HOLLAND; No 339; 1937 Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1607. BCN gauging No 2008, 25/2.1938.

IBEX; No 90; 1927 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1497. BCN gauging No 1298, 17/6/1927. Length 71ft 2". In the BW North West heritage fleet, in Blue and Yellow livery, and at Red Bull.

JACKAL; No 91; 1927 Iron Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 557

JAGUAR; No 95; 1927 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Uxbridge 558. Currently, Oct 2000, part of the South Midland fleet. Powered by a 15HP Bolinder semi Diesel.

JUBILEE, No 347; Iron composite Regd Wolves. 1144. Ex Midlands & Coast.

KANGAROO; No 201; 1928 Iron Yarwoods.Regd Brm 1509. BCN gauging No 1406, 29/6/1928. Length 71ft 6". Became part of the BW North West Carrying fleet, and later used for maintenance on the T & M. Leased to the Trent & Mersey Canal Society, and later sold onto private ownership. Now part of the South Midland fleet, and regularly loaded. Powered by a 15HP Bolinder, ex FMC AZALEA. This engine was sold from a collection at Sutton Spring Wood, Chesterfield. The boat has been rebuilt at WFB Co.

KESTREL; No 202; 1928 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1510. BCN gauging No 1560, 19/2/1930. Length 70ft 7".

KIMBERLEY; No 341; 1938 Iron Saltley .Regd Brm 1616. BCN gauging No 2020, 27/5/1938. Currently at Brinklow having an extended back cabin and fore cabin built.

LAMPREY; No 316; 1934 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1555. BCN gauging No 1885, 24/1/1936.Length 70ft 10". BW licence No 48636.

LAPWING; No 43;1913 Saltley/Iron.Regd Brm 1299. Operated as a trip boat on the Weaver 1985, by FMC Lapwing Cruises

LARK; No 44;1913 Saltley,Iron. Regd Brm 1301. Gardner 2L2, converted, fitted out Norton Canes. New 11mm steel bottom. For sale 1995..

LAUREL; No 45;1913 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1304

LEOPARD; No 37 ;1912 Saltley/Iron , Regd Brm 1275

LILY;No 55; 1914 Saltley Iron. Regd Brm 1308. Unconverted, at Braunston in July 2000. Powered by a Bolinder 20HP semi Diesel with gearbox.

LINDA ;No 260;1912 Saltley/Iron, , Regd Brm 1256

LINDOLA; No 33;1913 Uxbridge/wooden Regd Brm 1276

LING; No 317; 1934 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1556. BCN gauging No 1834, 30/11/1934. Length 71ft0".

LION; No 38;1913 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1280

LOTUS; No 66;1914 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1310

LUPIN; No 67;1914 Saltley Iron .Regd Brm 1314. Extensively rebuilt at Stretton on the SU 1980's. Now powered by a Lister JP2, unconverted. Jan 2001, at Rickmansworth having a total repaint.

LYNX; No 39;1913 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1290. BCN gauging No 21851. BW licence No 66999. Based at the Black Country Museum, sold December 2000. Unconverted, with wooden bottom.

MALVERN; No 360; 1949 Steel Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1634. In the BW North West Heritage fleet. Based T&M North.

MARQUIS; No 237; 1925 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1533. BCN gauging No 1547, 2/1/1930. Length 71ft 0".

MENDIP; No 361; 1949 Steel Yarwoods Regd Brm 1635

MINNOW ; No 318; 1934 Iron Yarwoods . Built with fore cabin. Regd Brm 1557. BCN gauging No 1896, 1/4/1936. Length 71ft 0".

MONARCH ; No 156; 1925 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1201. BCN gauging 1412, 19/7/1928. Length 72ft0".

MULLET ;No 319; 1934 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1558. BCN gauging No 1847, 22/3/1935. Length 70ft10".

NAUTILUS; No 204; 1928 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1511. BCN gauging No 1545, 2/1/1930. Length 70ft 5". Easily identified bu the large rivetted patch on the fore-end port side; done many years ago. Converted, at Willowbridge on the GU Oct 2000.

OSTRICH; No 209; 1928 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1514. BCN gauging No 1455, 13/12/1928. Length 71ft 9". Cut down to circa 45ft, converted as a pleasure boat; original fore-end. Oct 2000 at Langley Mill.

OTTER; No 210; 1928, Iron Yarwoods, Regd Brm 1517. BCN gauging No 1474, 28/3/1929. Length 71ft 6". Advertised for sale 1975, full length, new wooden cabin with Kelvin J2. At Charity dock, Bedworth 1975. Based at Rickmansworth GU Dec 2000.

OWL; No 211; 1928 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1516. BCN gauging No 1919, 7/8/1936. Length 70ft9".

PANTHER; No 250; 1930 Steel Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1526. BCN gauging No 1600, 15/5/1930. Length 70ft 6". BW Heritage boat, used by the Coventry Canal Society for rubbish collection. Has a unique fore-end, (not original) with the guards running vertically.

PEACOCK; No102;1915 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1342. BCN gauging No 12037. BW licence No 60892. Currently at the Black Country Museum in a deteriorating state awaiting a decision on her future.

PENGUIN; No 77;1914 Saltley/Iron Regd Brm 1316

PERCH; No 320; 1935 Iron Yarwoods .Regd Brm 1560. BCN gauging No 1848, 1/5/1936. Length 71ft0". Built with fore cabin. In May 1999 this boat was at Caggy's yard, Tipton. PERCH is now in two halves, in Notts., the stern half in a back garden, whilst the other half is in store. Both fortunately are owned by the same person, and the boat is to be re built, with a Lister JP3 to be installed; expected completion date 2004!

PETREL; No81;1914 Saltley Iron .Regd Brm 1320. Unconverted motorboat; widely travelled. Has been to the current heads of navigation on the Idle at Bawtry, and the bottom lock at Turners Wood on the Chesterfield.

PIKE; No 321; 1935 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1561. BCN gauging No 1856, 29/5/1935. Length 70ft 10".An ongoing restoration project in Bristol Docks. New rivetted counter, and Iroko bottom; fore-cabin being worked on.

PILOT; No 169; 1924 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1474

PLOVER; No94; 1915 Saltley ,Iron composite, Regd Brm 1325. For a number of years, a camping boat operated by WFBCo. Extension cabin built, and recently undergone footing work at Stretton on the SU Canal, (Summer 2000).

POLE STAR,1938, Iron Composite Regd Wolves. 1142

PORTUGAL; No 343; 1937 Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1610. BCN gauging 2003, 14/1/1938. Generally thought to be the boat currently having the name FRANCE.

PRESIDENT; No 195; 1925 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1541. BCN gauging No 1832, 21/11/1934, length 70ft 4".

PRINCE; No 20; 1926 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1534. Sold by FMC ot the Oxford Co Op for carrying coal from Coventry to Oxford. In 1946 the boat was sold to Tom Whitley, who converted her for living on during the next 3 years. At the time the engine was a 15hp Bolinder. In 1951 he set up Waterborne Tours, with the wooden butty MAFEKING, bought from Barlows at Braunston. The butty was sold in 1962, and PRINCE continued as a hotel boat until 1964. She was then moored outside the stables at Audlem bottom lock for retirement of both boat and steerer. Sold by Tom in 1977 for a major re-build. Now based at Malkins Bank, totally rebuilt and fully converted.

PYTHON; No 249; 1930 Steel Yarwoods Regd Uxbridge 572

QUAIL; No109; July 1916 Uxbridge/Wooden .Regd Brm 1348. Cost £450 excluding engine. Rebuilt at Uxbridge 1941. Engine 10hp Bolinder. Re engined in 1925 with a 15hp Bolinder. Entered the BW South East Division, and paired with BASCOTE. Bought by Willow Wren in 1954 as QUAIL. Regd at Uxbridge No 598, and paired with FMC FLORENCE,(W.Wren KINGFISHER). 1969 at Cowley and converted, and at Paddington in 1980. In 1998 at Coppermill, and hogged. Autumn 2000 craned out at Devizes and broken up after repeated sinking.

RAMBLER; No 187;1918 Uxbridge/Wooden Regd Brm 1369. BCN gauging No 23212, 22/7/1920. Length 72ft0". Last owned by Hector Bijl, who lived aboard at Paddington. It had a fire and was dumped (possibly) on the Slough arm in the late 1950's.

RAVEN; No200;1917 Uxbridge/Wooden Regd Brm 1360. BCN gauging No 22793, 6/12/1917. Length 70ft8".

ROACH ;No 322; 1935 Iron Yarwoods, Regd Brm 1581. BCN gauging No 1911, 24/6/1936. Length 70ft6".

ROBIN; No 188;1919 Uxbridge/Wooden Regd Uxbridge 514. BCN gauging No 23328, 10/1/1921. Length 71ft 5". Bombed at Fazeley Street during the War, and sold to Ernest Thomas of Walsall. Later used as a pleasure boat.

ROVER; No 189;1919 Uxbridge/Wooden Regd Uxbridge 516. BCN gauging No 23120, 4/3/1920. Length 71ft 2".

RUDD; No 323; 1936 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1582. BCN gauging No 1904, 22/5/1936. Length 70ft 6".

SEAGULL; No 194; 1921 Uxbridge Wooden Regd Brm 1410. BCN gauging No 1027, 17/3/1925. Length 71ft 2".

SEAL; No 190;1920 Uxbridge/Wooden Regd Brm 1390. BCN gauging No 186, 4/3/1922.

SHAD; No 324; 1936 Iron Yarwoods.Regd Brm 1583. BCN gauging No 1905, 22/5/1936. Length 70ft6". At Crick May 2000, and Braunston July 2000. Unconverted. Engine Lister HA2.

SIBERIA; No 345; 1938 Iron Saltley .Regd Brm 1621. BCN gauging No 2053, 4/1/1939. Reportedly scrapped, with the fore-end going onto GAMBIA.

SKATE; No 325; 1936 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1596

SWALLOW; No 24; 1925 Uxbridge Wooden, Regd Uxbridge 546. BCN gauging No 1534, 25/11/1929.

SWIFT; No 25; 1925 Uxbridge Wooden, Regd Brm 1480. BCN gauging No 1743, 7/10/1932. Length 70ft 6".

STAFFORD; No 342; Iron Saltley. Regd Brm 1617. BCN gauging No 2034, 12/8/1938. For many years this boat was tied in the basin at Tardebigge, but is now at Charity Dock, Bedworth, and still retains a full conversion wooden cabin.

SULTAN; No 251; 1924 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1540. BCN gauging No 974, 5/12/1924. Length 71ft 5".

TENCH; No 326; 1936 Iron Yarwoods. Regd Brm 1600. BCN gauging No 1962, 11/6/1937. Length 70ft 5". Rebuilt at Horseley Fields dock; owned by Midland Canal Transport and based at Dimmingsdale S&W.

THE KING; No103; 1925 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1549. BCN gauging No 1236, 31/12/1926. Length 71ft 0".

TROUT; No 327; 1936 Iron Yarwoods Regd Brm 1599.

VANGUARD; No 214; 1926 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1550

VICEROY; No 196; 1927 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1544

VICTORY ; No 216; 1927 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1622. BCN gauging No 1351, 9/11/1927.Length 70ft 10".

VULCAN; No 183; 1927 Iron Saltley Regd Brm 1538

BCN gauging No 1000, iron motor, no name or number, 23/1/1925. Length 71ft 2".

F.M.C. motor boats with non original names.

Question on BRITANNIA; Trip boat in Birmingham, and sold in 1981. Lister HR2. Current evidence points to this being the DOVE.

Question on RUSSIA; FMC stern end 60ft boat with station boat fore-end at Bulls Bridge, ex caggy Stevens, and BW maintenance boat.

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