Original livery of the GUCCC boats.

Please click here to return to the Historic boats homepage.

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

The Grand Union Canal Carrying Co. came into being on January 1st 1929, by the amalgamation of 5 canal owning companies. More were added soon afterwards, with the new GUCCC now controlling the canals from London to Birmingham, and Langley Mill. The first new boats commissioned were the GEORGE and the MARY, built by the Steel Barrel Co. of Uxbridge. They were prototypes, and built larger than normal, (in hull depth), as the intended use was on the Thames as well as inland waterways.

Prototype motor boat, GEORGE.   Royalty motor, PRINCE.

........''''.....Prototype narrowboat GEORGE, built 1929................Royalty class motorboat, PRINCE, built 1931

GEORGE (motor) was registered at Tring, No 108, Grand Union gauging No 12180, and delivered in February 1929.. MARY (butty) was registered at Tring No 109, Grand Union gauging No 12181, and delivered in February 1929.

The Royalty Class.

In 1931, a number of boat-builders were asked to build small batches of boats, to a similar design specification to the GEORGE and the MARY. The hold depth was 4ft 11 in; definitely a ladder job!

BOAT-BUILDER
M or B
NAMES
CONSTRUCTION
W.J.Yarwoods, Northwich.
M
WILLIAM, DUKE, EDWARD, VICTORIA. Steel
J.Pollock & Sons, Faversham.
M
HENRY, PRINCE. Steel
W.H.Walker, Rickmansworth.
B
ANNE, ADELAIDE. Wooden
E.G.Woods, Brentford.
B
DUCHESS, ALEXANDRA. Wooden
Bushell Bros., Tring.
B
ALBERT, PRINCESS. Wooden

The boats were paired as follows; DUKE and DUCHESS; EDWARD and ALEXANDRA; HENRY and ANNE; PRINCE and PRINCESS; VICTORIA and ALBERT; and WILLIAM and ADELAIDE. All were delivered in 1931 and 1932. The engines in the motors were 20hp Bolinders in HENRY and PRINCE, and in the Yarwoods boats two 20hp Petters, a 22hp Kromhout, and a 20hp Kromhout.

Star class prototypes.

In 1934, an expansion programme requiring more boats prompted further orders from a number of builders. The hull depth was reduced to 4;ft 2 in, and all 12 boats, (6 pairs ) were wooden. Engines fitted were Russell Newbery twin cylinder diesels, of 18hp. Nearly all the boats of this size were named after stars and constellations, and thus was born the Star class. The boats were built to a 7ft 01/2 in beam, 71ft 6 in long, and a deep draught of 3ft 3 in.

BUILDER
MOTORS
BUTTIES
DELIVERED
Walkers of Rickmansworth. ARCTURUS, NEPTUNE, ANTARES SIRIUS, ALTAIR, SPICA. 1934, 1935
Harland & Wolff, Woolwich. VENUS, ALDEBARAN, SATURN,ORION. 1935
E. G. Woods, Brentford. JUPITER, MARS. 1934

Star class narrowboats.

GUCCC butty SIRIUS at Birmingham.  

Having tried out all the builders, and found their strengths and weaknesses, the GUCCC now placed larger orders for pairs of boats.

Harland and Wolff of North Woolwich, London, received an order for 24 pairs in January 1935, the boats to be of composite construction, and fitted with National diesel engines, known later as the Small Woolwich class. Yarwoods of Northwich received orders for 12 pairs of composite boats fitted with Russell Newbery engines, ( the Small Northwich class), and Walkers were asked to build 6 pairs of wooden narrowboats, again fitted with Russell Newbery engines.

................SIRIUS at Worcester bar, Birmingham in 1976.

Middle Northwich Class.

As part of the Star class building programme, 8 pairs of boats, of all steel construction, were produced by W.J.Yarwoods of Northwich, with holds 4ft 6 in deep. Building started in November 1935 with RADIANT and REGULUS, (seen right), and completed in 1936 with ZODIAC and LEONIDS. The full list; motors, RADIANT; SEXTANS; SICKLE; TAYGETA; THEOPHILUS; TUCANA; TYCHO; ZODIAC; and butties, LEONIDS; REGULUS; SARPEDON; SCALES; TAURUS; THEA; THOTH; and TRIAGULUM. All of these boats have rounded chines, and a slightly "Vee" bottom.

........REGULUS being horse-drawn down the T & M.

Middle Northwich, REGULUS.

The Town Class boats.

Before the final delivery of the Star class boats, more were placed on order, of a deeper hull side, and slightly shallower draught. These boats were known as the Town class, all being named after towns and villages in the UK. The hold depth was 4ft 91/2 in and orders were placed with Harland and Wolff, W.J.Yarwoods, and Walkers of Rickmansworth.

The boats from Harland and Wolff were known as the Big Woolwich class, being of all steel construction, and numbered 24 pairs, and 24 single motors. All the Big Woolwich boats have names from A to H, ABER being the first, and HAWKESBURY being the last. Delivery commenced in July 1936 and was completed in May 1937.

W.J.Yarwoods were contracted to build 38 steel motors, to similar sizes, and became known as the Big Northwich class. The first to be delivered was HALSALL, and the last YEOFORD. The boats were built between June 1936, and April 1937.

Walkers of Rickmansworth built 62 wooden butty boats, HALTON being the first in June 1936, and HALE completing the order in 1938. These boats became known as Big Ricky boats.

The motor boats were all fitted with either National or Russell Newbery diesels, designed to give a loaded speed of 6 knots carrying tonnages between 50 and 60 on a pair. With over 350 boats, it was the largest fleet owned in the country. However, only a maximum of 119 pairs was ever in service, the difficulty being finding crews. Within 3 years, boats were sold off to private companies, mostly the early Star class, and the Royalty class. In the 1940's a number of newer boats were sold, particularly the middle Northwich class, which with the rounded chines were not as stable as the Town and Star class. Today, virtually all the steel and composite Grand Union boats are extant, with only the wooden boats suffering major losses.

The G.U.C.C.Co Fleet of boats....constantly being updated.

Boat names in RED are still extant...but possibly in halves.

ABOYNE; No 201, large Woolwich butty, built 1937, Regd at Coventry No 541, GU Gauging No 12609. Unconverted, and attended Braunston in July 2000.

ACHERNAR; No 1, small Woolwich Motor, built 1935. Regd at Brentford No 546, GU Gauging No 12431. Currently (2001) being rebuilt at the top of Factory Locks on the BCN. Moved to Birchills March 2001; Gardner 2L2 engine to be fitted.

ALDGATE; No 103, large Woolwich motor boat, built 1937, Regd Rickmansworth No 133, GU Gauging No 12555, unconverted, at Crick in May, and Braunston July 2000.

ALGOL; No 5, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 554, GU No 12433. Sold by GUCCC in June 1940 to Stanton & Staveley tube works for £950.00. Registered at Ilkeston in Nov 1941 No99. The boat became No 51 in the Stanton fleet. Sold in July 1947 to Stewarts & Lloyds at Halesowen, to become Tug No 2. Shortened, by W Harris of Netherton, and a new cabin added and tug deck. Currently Oct 2000, at Saul Junction having a steel bottom fitted.

ALPHONS; No 208, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 551, GU Gauging No 12551. Half converted with motor counter.

ALTON; No 102, large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd Coventry 537, GU Gauging 12612. Unconverted ,with Petter PD2. At Middlewich rally in June, 2000. Based at Whaley Bridge.

ANDROMEDA; No 210, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 557, GU Gauging No 12492. Converted and motorised with Lister HA2, full length. Counter (steel) removed from the Potter & Son wooden boat SUNSHINE, broken up at Shardlow. At Middlewich rally in June, 2000; based at Stone T&M.

ANGEL; No 211, large Woolwich butty; built 1937, Regd Coventry 538, GU Gauging No 12613. Paired with ALDGATE, at Crick in May and Braunston July 2000.

AQUARIOUS; No 9, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 556, GU Gauging No 12491. Unconverted, based at Dimmingsdale on the S&W, Oct 2000.

ARA; No 213, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 491, GU Gauging No 12441. Camping boat based at Braunston summer 2000. Sold Autumn 2000, and now paired with ARCHIMEDES selling coal and diesel, South GU.

ARCAS; No 11, small Woolwich motor boat, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No558, GU Gauging No 12582. Was in use on the lime juice run, and is now shortened and owned by BW as a maintenance boat based at Marsworth.

ARCHIMEDES; No 12 small Woolwich motor boat, built 1935, Regd Brentford 560, GU gauging No 12446. In working trim, powered by Lister HB2; with 5ft extn cabin.

ASTRAEA; No 219, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd Brentford No 537, GU Gauging No 12405. Cut up by BW in the early 1980's at Bull's Bridge.

ATALANTA; No 220, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd Brentford 566, GU No 12530. Sold to Stanton & Staveley in June 1940, for £400, and paired with ALGOL. Became No 52 in the fleet. Registered at Ilkeston No 100. Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds to become No 90, in July 1947. Sold by British Steel in July 1976 into private ownership.The original name in GU colours was incorrectly spelt ATLANTA.

ATLAS; No 16, small Woolwich motor; built 1935, Regd Brentford 565, GU Gauging No 12529. Unconverted and loaded at Middlewich rally in June; at Stourbridge in Oct 2000. Owned by BW as part of the Heritage Fleet.

AURORA; No 221, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd Brentford 559, GU Gauging No 12583. Stern end at Bristol called SHEERWATER, and previously BW hireboat called WATER VIOLET.

AYR; No 222, large Woolwich butty, built 1936, Regd Brentford No 610, GU gauging No 12602. Confusion with the BERKHAMPSTEAD, as one or the other was cut up, and one re named.

BAKEWELL; No 224, large Woolwich butty, built 1936. Regd at Brentford 599, GU Gauging No12645. Still as a butty (2001) with steel cabin conversion, and based at Stockton. Was part of the U.C.C. camping fleet, paired with KIMBERLEY.

BANSTEAD; No 107, large Woolwich motor, built 1936. Regd at Brentford 605, GU Gauging no 12766. Owned by Brm. & Midland in 1970's, then mover to Bedford basin, Leigh. Currently, Oct 2000, having work done at Nuneaton.

BARROW; No 125, large Woolwich motor. built 1936. Regd at Rickmansworth No 86, GU Gauging No 12570. Unconverted, and based at Stockton. Attended Braunston and Birmingham in July 2000 .

BATH; No 111, large Woolwich motor, built 1936, Regd Brentford 590, GU Gauging No 12750. Unconverted, Dorman 2DSM. Oct 2000 at Langley Mill.

BELLATRIX; No 19, small Northwich motor, built 1935, not registered, GU Gauging No 12429. Unconverted, based at Greensforge on the S&W, Oct 2000.

BETELGEUSE; No 235, small Woolwich butty; built 1935, Regd Brentford 568, GU Gauging No 12488. Unconverted, at Middlewich Oct 2000.

BIRMINGHAM; No 121, large Woolwich motor, Regd at Brentford No 615, GU Gauging No 12672. Unconverted. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

BLETCHLEY; No 119, large Woolwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Brentford 613, GU Gauging No 12644. In trading condition with butty ARGUS, Oct 2000.

BOOTES; No 20, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford No 569, GU Gauging No 12542. Converted, and based at Stockton on the GU.

BORDESLEY; No 240, large Woolwich butty; built 1936, Regd Brentford 616, GU Gauging No 12673. Owned by Caggy Stevens 1976. Paired with GREENOCK, newly painted July 2000.

BRIGHTON; No 242, large Woolwich butty, built 1936. Regd at Brentford No 618, GU Gauging No 12656. Unconverted, and paired with NUNEATON, owned by the Narrowboat Trust.

BUCKDEN; No 124, large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd Brentford 621, GU Gauging No 12652. Unconverted at Middlewich, May, and Birmingham in July, 2000.

CALLISTO; No 21, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 571, GU Gauging No 12548. Camping boat at Braunston Summer 2000.

CANIS; No 246, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd Brentford 576, GU Gauging No 12495. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Registered at Ilkeston No 110 in Nov 1941. Became Stanton No 62. Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds, in July 1947. Oct 2000, fore-end motorised and fully converted, and stern end now called CANIS MAJOR also motorised and fully converted; based at Stoke Bruerne.

CAPELLA; No 247, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 572, GU Gauging No 12549. Based for many years at Aylesbury. New steel bottom, 1991. BMC 1.8 hydraulic drive.

CARNABY; No 134, large Woolwich motor boat, built 1937, Regd at Coventry No 542, Owned by BW as a maintenance boat (2000) and based at Marsworth. Shortened tug format.

CASSIOPEIA; No 23, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 494, GU Gauging No 12525. Unconverted and regularly loaded. Based Stockton. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

CEDAR; Yarwoods Erewash Canal Carrying Co butty, built 1935. At Brinklow in working trim, July 2000.

CETUS; No 250, small Woolwich butty; built 1935, Regd at Brentford 501, GU Gauging No 12384. Fore end converted and motorised, around 60ft in length. Engine Lister HA2, with back cabin, July 2000, based on the S.U.Canal. Stern end now called BLUE NUN, and operating as a hire boat, Leicester section GU.

CHISWICK; No 131, large Woolwich motor; built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 151, GU Gauging No 12659. Unconverted, Lister JP2. Oct 2000 at Langley Mill. Summer 2001, camping boat on the Trent & Mersey.

COLESHILL; No 132, Large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Coventry 547, GU Gauging No 12663. Currently Oct 2000 on the bank at Foxton.

COMET; No 30, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 524, GU gauging No 12385. Currently in unconverted state at Dadford shed, Stourbridge.

COROLLA; No 31, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 575, GU Gauging No 12494. At Foxton, July 2000.

CORONA; No 32, small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 577, GU Gauging No 12552. Unconverted, powered by a Lister HA2. Based Rugby. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

CRUX; No 265, small woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 495, GU gauging No 12526. Now with full conversion in steel, at Dadford shed Stourbridge. Repainted in blue and yellow livery, Summer 2001.

CYGNUS; No 266, small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 489, GU Gauging No 12390. Currently, Oct 2000 at Pooley Hall basin, Coventry Canal. Fully converted.

DEIMOS; No 33, small Woolwich motor; built 1935, Regd at Brentford 580, GU Gauging No 12489. BW maintenance boat at Marsworth currently named SLOUGH, Oct 2000.

DODONA; No 269, Small Woolwich butty, built 1935. Regd at Brentford No 574. GU Gauging No 12477. Cut in half, and fore-end made into a 45ft tug. Attended Braunston in July 2000. Stern end motorised and fully converted.

DORADO; No 36, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 584, GU Gauging No 12461. Cut down by BW for maintenance to 45ft. Currently awaiting a large cash injection to bring this boat back to some form of glory. At WFB Co 2001.

DUNSTABLE; No137, Large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 154, GU gauging No 12713. In the 1980's this boat was moored on the Worcs & Brm Canal. Sold for rebuilding, and mover to Hawne Basin, BCN. Work was done on the hull; the boat then moved to Chemical Arm, Oldbury. Recently (Oct2001) sold again, and moved to Dadford shed at Stourbridge for re-building.

ELECTRA; No 40, E.G.Woods wooden motor, built 1935, Regd at Rickmansworth No 48, GU Gauging No 12546. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Regd at Ilkeston No 107 in August 1941. Became Stanton No 59. Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds in July 1947. Extant Oct 2000 at Ivinghoe on the GU.

ENCELADUS; No 41, Small Northwich motor; built 1935, Regd at Brm 1577, GU Gauging No 12391. Fore-end section called VALIANT at Bratch S&W, Oct 2000. The boat became WATER VALIANT; a BW hire boat. Any ideas on the stern end?

EPSOM; No 140, Large Woolwich motor, built 1938, Regd at Rickmansworth No 194, GU Gauging No 12764. For sale from Audlem in 1975. Lister JP2 engine. New back cabin and engine room 1993 at Stone. Currently (2001) at WFB Co with a 28ft extended cabin. Engine now Lister HA2.

DELPHINUS; No 34, Small Northwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Birmingham No 1578. GU Gauging No 12506. Sold to the Talbot Garage Co, Kidderminster. Sold to T & S Elements, and renamed PRINCE CHARLES.

DENEBOLA; No 35, Small Woolwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Brentford No 582, GU Gauging No 12501. Powered by a National, half conversion. Attended Braunston and Birmingham in July 2000.

ELSTREE; No 139, Large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth 161, GU Gauging No 12708. Fully converted with cabin under cloths. Gardner 3LW engine. Currently (2001) at Braunston.

GREENLAW; No 145, Large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 157, GU Gauging No 12738. At Middlewich rally in June, 2000.

GREENOCK; No 144,Large Woolwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 167, GU Gauging No 12758. Unconverted, at Brinklow newly painted in July 2000.

HALSALL; No 149, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 79, GU gauging No 12566. Purchased by Threefellows Carrying; used on the gravel contract at Thurmaston, River Soar, 1980's. Based now at the old Allen's arm at Oldbury.

HYPERION; No 53, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 514, GU Gauging No 12448. Unconverted, at Crick in May, 2000.

KENILWORTH; No 150, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd Rickmansworth No 80, GU No 12627.Shortened to 50ft for use as a BW maintenance boat North East, and River Trent. Sold into private ownership 1990's. Now converted and at Dutton T&M, Oct 2000.

KINGFISHER; GUCC director's launch. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

LACERTA; No 57, Small Northwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 520, GU Gauging No 12553. Shortened by BW 1962 for use on the Erewash Canal. At Stourbridge in Oct 2000.

LAMBOURNE; No 298, Large Ricky butty, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 78, GU gauging No 12640. Offered for sale on the River Wey in 1977. Had the remains of a conversion, and wooden headers on the fore deck. Possibly still there.

LEO; No 300, small Northwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 535, GU gauging No 12453. Part of the Heritage fleet of boats, completely rebuilt Summer 2001 at Stourbridge.

LEPUS; No 302, Small Northwich butty, built 1933, Regd at Brentford No 521, GU Gauging No 12554. Shortened and motorised. At Middlewich rally in June, 2000.

LIBRA; No 58, Small Northwich motor, built 1935, Registered at Brentford 548, GU Gauging No 12425. Entered the Willow Wren fleet as WARBLER. Partly converted, at Amington, Coventry Canal. Has Bolinder 1052 engine.

MAIA; No 59, Small Ricky motor, built 1936, Registered at Rickmansworth No 62, GU Gauging No 12559. Sold to Stanton Ironworks, and registered by Ilkeston Corporation No 103 in March 1941. Became Stanton No 55. Sold to J. Raynor of Liverpool in July 1947.

MARCELLUS; No 308, Small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 561, GU Gauging No 12447. Cut in half, motorised front half and converted.

MARFAK; No 309,Small Ricky butty, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 71, GU Gauging No 12595. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Registered at Ilkeston No 108 in August 1941. Became Stanton No 60. Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds in July 1947. Later known as CUTLASS.

MARY; No number, Royalty butty, built 1929, Steel Barrel Co, Uxbridge.Regd Tring 109, GU Gauging No 12181. Based at Stockton on GU.

MEROPE; No 61, Small Ricky Motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 64, GU Gauging No 12617. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Registered at Ilkeston No 111 in Nov 1941. Became Stanton No 63. Sold to J. Raynor of Liverpool in July 1947. Extant Oct 2000.

METEOR; No 313, Small Woolwich butty; built 1935, Regd at Brentford 525, GU Gauging No 12386. For sale 1995. Unconverted with longer back cabin, Oct 2000 at Langley Mill.

MIRA; No 63 Small Ricky motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 66, GU Gauging No 12522. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Regd at Ilkeston No 105 in May 1941. Became Stanton No 57. Sold to J. Raynor of Liverpool in July 1947.

NEBULAE; No 317, Small Woolwich butty; built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 545, GU Gauging No 12414. Converted, at Crick in May, 2000.

NUNEATON; No 156, Large Northwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 155, GU Gauging no 12563. Unconverted, and paired with BRIGHTON, owned by the Narrowboat Trust. Powered by a Petter PD2. Having extensive work done Autumn 2000, with new engine.

NUNHEAD; No 320; Large Ricky butty, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 90, GU Gauging No 12564. Broken up around 1982.

NUTFIELD; No 157, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 97, GU Gauging No 12580.

OAKLEY; No 159, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth 98, GU Gauging No 12631. Shortened by BW for maintenance work North East. Sold into private ownership from Nottingham, currently, Oct 2000, at Stretton on the N. Oxford..

ORION; No 322, Harland &Wolff prototype butty; built 1935, Regd at Daventry No 463, GU Gauging No 12360. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Registered at Ilkeston No 106 in May 1941. Became Stanton No 58. Sold in July 1947 to Stewarts & Lloyds. Listed as being at Keelcast Wolverhampton in two halves in the 1970's.

PADDINGTON; No 160, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd Rickmansworth No 99, GU Gauging No 12596. Shortened by BW for maintenance North East..57ft.Now based at Stourport S & W.

PAVO; No 327, Small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 503, GU No 12410. Converted to a 60ft motor boat, at Braunston. Now a fully converted boat, based at Fenny Stratford.

PERSEUS; No 70, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 506, GU gauging No 12450. Converted to BW hire boat named WATER BUCK. Re converted by BW at Newark in 1977, and is now a trip boat with London Waterbus Co, London.

PHOEBE; No 330, Small Ricky butty. Built 1935, Regd Rickmansworth No 39, GU No 12417. Sold to Stanton Ironworks, in Nov 1941 for £390. Became No 64 in the fleet, Regd at Ilkeston No 112, in May 1942. Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds in July 1947.

PHOSPHOROUS; No 331, small Ricky butty, built 1935, Regd Rickmansworth No 59, GU gauging No 12517. Built with a fore cabin. Abandoned on the River Ouse, at Queen Adelaide, Nr ELY.

PISCES; No 73, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Birmingham No 1574. GU Gauging No 12454. Converted, and having new steel cabin built July 2000 at Braunston.

PLANET; No 74, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 544, GU No 12413. Now has steel bottom, and is fully converted with steel cabin. Retains wooden back cabin, and National diesel. Based Kays Arm, Long Itchington.

PLATO; No 75 Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 528, GU No 12485. Sold to E. Probert & Sons of Millfield in 1941. Purchased by T & S Elements in 1948 and re-named ANNIE ELIZA. Later re-named PRINCESS ANNE. Oct 2000 at Dutton T&M.

PLEIADES; No 333, E.G.Woods wooden butty, built 1936, Regd Brentford 586, GU Gauging No 12576. Sold to Stanton Ironworks in Dec 1940. Became Stanton No 54. Returned to the GU company as unsatisfactory in 1941. Sold July 1947 to Stewarts & Lloyds.

PLEIONE; No 76, E.G.Woods wooden motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 564, GU Gauging 12544. Sold to Stanton Ironworks in Dec 1940. Became Stanton No 53. Returned to the GU company as unsatisfactory in 1941. Sold July 1947 to Stewarts & Lloyds.

PUPPIS; No 339, Small Northwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Birmingham 1575, GU Gauging No 12455. Unconverted, and at Stretton on the N. Oxford.

PURTON; No 162, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 104, GU Gauging no 12614. Shortened in the 1960's by BW for maintenance. Sold by BW 1989, and moved to the K & A in 1998. Still retains the 1960's BW cabin. Now based at Wooton Rivers on the K & A.

RA; No 341, Small Ricky butty, built 1936, Regd Rickmansworth No 53, GU Gauging No 12505. Sold to Stanton Ironworks and Registered by Ilkeston Corporation No 104 in Nov 1941. Became Stanton No 56.Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds in July 1947.

RENFREW; No165, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 113, GU Gauging No 12623. Unconveerted, and attended Braunston in July 2000.

RENTON; No 164, Large Northwich motor boat, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 118, GU Gauging No 12633. Owned by BW as a maintenance boat (2000) and based at Marsworth. Shortened tug format.

SATELLITE; No 351, Small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 543, GU Gauging No 12460. In the 1970's she was owned by the Narrow Boat Trust, who sold her to ME Braine. She was then cut in half, motorised, and the resulting fore end retained the former name, whilst the stern was named GANEYMEDE .

SALTAIRE; No 167; Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 122, GU Gauging No 12696. Unconverted, and regularly loaded. The boat was cut off at the engine room by BW whilst used for maintenance work. The stern end now forms part of a 60ft converted boat. The fore-end part has had a new counter and stern end, and is the trading boat based at Langley Mill. Attended Braunston in July 2000.

SCULPTOR; No 82, Small Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Brm 1584, GU Gauging No 12499. Unconverted and in trading condition, at Crick in May, 2000. Part of the BW Heritage Fleet.

SEAFORD; No 168, Large Northwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 135, GU Gauging No 12726 Unconverted, based at Dimmingsdale on the S&W, Oct 2000.

SHIRLEY; No 169, large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Rickmansworth No 121, GU gauging No 12646. Fully converted, located at London.

SICKLE; No 84, Middle Northwich motor boat, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 187, GU Gauging No 12534. Shortened and in use by BW as a maintenance boat based at Marsworth.

SOUTHERN CROSS; No 85, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 518, GU Gauging No 12409. Converted to BW hire boat as WATER NYMPH. Now converted, and based on River Chess at Batchworth.

STANTON; No 173, Large Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Coventry No 536, GU Gauging No 12668. At Middlewich. Fully converted boat. Oct 2000.

STRATFORD; No 175, Large Northwich Motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 128. GU Gauging No 12692. Based at Stockton on the GU.

SUDBURY; No 176, Large Northwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth Jan 1937. No 129. GU Gauging No 12729. Last worked for Willow Wren CTS 1969. Cut down for maintenance by BW late 1970's. Purchased privately from Norton Canes in 1988 without engine. Now has back cabin, engine room, and short extn cabin. Moored Ivinghoe GUC.

SUN; No 88, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford No 522, GU gauging No 12418. Converted to BW hire boat as WATER OUZEL. Converted to trip boat with London Waterbus Co.

TAPLOW: No 368, large Ricky butty, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 132, GU gauging No 12712. Re named WILLOW WREN, sank at Stone on the T & M Nov 2000. Raised, and at Charity Dock for repairs.

TAYGETA; No 89, Middle Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Brm No 1587, GU Gauging No 12527. In BW North West Heritage fleet, as SEVERN DOLPHIN. Based T&M North, Oct 2000.

THAXTED; No 179, Large Northwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth 164, GU Gauging No 12671. Passed to BW and then Willow Wren as WIDGEON. Sold by BW to Union Canal Carriers. Unconverted with new steel bottom, and Lister HA2. The steel cabin was replaced in the 1950's. Based Stockton GU .

THEA; No 372, Middle Northwich butty, built 1936, Regd at Birmingham 1597, GU No 12607. Until 1991 converted as a houseboat at Chapmans farm, Rickmansworth. The butty stern had gone, and a poor counter added. She was then rebuilt at WFB Co, cut down to 57ft, with new rivetted engine room and back cabin, front planked as tug deck. Engine, Lister JP2. Based at Stockton on the GU.

THEMIS; No 90, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 510, GU No 12393. Converted boat. At Middlewich in June, based at Dutton T&M, Oct 2000.

TOWCESTER; No 181, Large Northwich motor; built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 144, GU Gauging No 12709. At Brinklow being worked on, Oct 2000.

TUCANA; No 92, Middle Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Brm No 1595, GU Gauging No 12518. Currently named ZODIAC, based on the G & S Canal as BW bunkering boat, July 2000.

TYCHO; No 93, Middle Northwich motor, built 1936, Regd at Birmingham 1601, GU Gauging No 12503. Converted to an ice breaker with ram on fore end, by Ministry of War (Transport) December 1942. Re engined with a Petter PD3M at Saltley in 1958, allocated to work in the Rugby area. Went to Alfred Matty of Coseley. Currently (2001) based at Cassiobury basin on the Southern GU.

UMBRIEL; No 94, Small ricky motor, built 1935, Regd at Rickmansworth No 44 , GU Gauging 12407. Sold by the GUCCC in Jan 1942 to T & S Elements, and renamed DUKE OF YORK. Extant 2000 on the Southern Oxford.

URANUS; No 380, Small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford 529, GU Gauging no 12486. Cut in half in the 1980's the fore end retaining the original name, and the stern now called HINEROA. SATELLITE is based at Wombourne, and HINEROA at Norton Canes.

VESTA; No 96, Small Woolwich motor, built 1935, Regd Brentford 530, GU Gauging No 12472. Sold to Stanton Ironworks. Registered at Ilkeston No 109 in Nov 1941. Became Stanton No 61. Sold to Stewarts & Lloyds in July 1947.

VIRGINIS; No 384, Small Woolwich butty, built 1935, Regd at Brentford No 541, GU Gauging No 12439. Owned by Foxton Boat Services. Currently on the bank at Foxton, Oct 2000.

WILLIAM; No 99, Royalty class, Yarwoods built, steel, 1931/2. Regd Rickmansworth No 26, GU No 12323. Oct 2000 at Dutton T&M. Full length, unconverted.

ZODIAC; No 100, Middle Northwich motor, built 1937, Regd at Rickmansworth No 140, GU Gauging No 12592. Sold as DEIMOS by BW in 1993 into private ownership.

Please click here to return to the Historic boats homepage.