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'Panther' on clean-up duty |
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Throughout the early days of the Society members
started regular canal clearance work parties using Bert Dunkley's boat
'Prince' to pull a mud boat loaned to the Society by British Waterways.
This activity continued for many years with different motor boats
culminating with Brian Saunders, the then chairman, with his boat
'Outlaw'. When the mud boat eventually gave in to old age the Society,
looking for a “proper boat” became aware of a B.W. heritage boat
'Panther' which was being decommissioned.
'Panther' was built by W.J.Yarwoods at their yard
in Northwich Cheshire in 1929 as a full length motor of composite
construction, with iron sides and an elm bottom with a 15hp single
cylinder Bolinder engine. Most of her life was spent in the fleet of
Fellows Morton & Clayton, one of the most famous commercial carrying
contractors of the time. Eventually she came into the hands of British
Waterways and due to problems, possibly with the hull, was shortened to
her present length of 53feet. Whilst this work was carried out at the
Bulls Bridge yard, the bottom was renewed in steel and the standard
fleet cabin installed. The current 2 cylinder air cooled Lister diesel
was also fitted at that time. Interestingly 'Panther's' sister boat,
'Python', underwent similar modification and can now be seen in and
around Tring. In the early 90's 'Panther' became surplus to B.W.'s
requirements and lay redundant.
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'Panther' collecting rubbish |
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In 1993 the Society heard of her plight and
negotiated a long term lease with B.W., finally purchasing outright in
2003, as the canal clearance and promotional vessel. During the autumn
and winter of 2004 Panther's hull and superstructure were given a
thorough overhaul and painted out in her original Fellows Morton &
Clayton colours.
'Panther' is out on clearance duties every month
throughout the year manned primarily by moorers from Wyken. In 1994 the
society received a “Queen Mother’s Award” by the Tidy Britain Group at a
special ceremony in London for the continuing work on the canal.
If you are interested in this type of voluntary
work contact the society who will forward details of the years
programme, pickup points etc. |
