Name Swallow

SWALLOW was built in 1934 by W.J. Yarwood & Sons of Northwich for W.H. Cowburn & Cowpar. She is a narrowboat of steel construction and carried general cargoes, mainly between Manchester and the Midlands. She was originally fitted with a Gardner 4VT single cylinder 12 horsepower semi-diesel engine with a Ferry gearbox and was registered at Manchester as Number 1121.

SWALLOW carried cargoes of mainly carboys of acid, drums of acetone, oils, plus bagged lime and salt, between Trafford Park, Manchester and Courtaulds’ factories in Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton, and the Foleshill Road and Little Heath plants at Coventry.

Between 15 January 1934 and 2 May 1939, SWALLOW made 131 trips to Coventry (122 miles and 72 locks) and 24 to Wolverhampton (92 miles and 38 locks, each way). The round trip usually lasted around 8 days, but sometimes only an incredible 6 days, although it could last up to 14.

After 2 May 1939, SWALLOW was leased to (or managed by) the Bridgwater Canal Carrying Department to carry agricultural produce between Winsford, Dunham and Manchester.

Around late 1945/46, SWALLOW returned to WHC&C, the engine was removed, tanks were installed, and the boat was used as a butty. This was not a success and she made only one or two trips in this guise.

1948 saw her hired again to the Bridgwater Department of M.S.C. to be used as a ‘bank boat’. A large foredeck was fitted (tanks removed).

In 1951, she was purchased by M.S.C. A bulkhead and door were fitted to the foredeck to make a locker.

She was purchased by Drs Roger and Stef Lorenz of Worsley in April 1981 and was restored, keeping the foredeck.  A National 2DM engine was installed. She was painted in C&C livery. 

From 2002-2019, SWALLOW was used as a heritage boat for displays at events promoting interest in waterway freight and hisotirc boats. Restoration work continued, the foredeck was removed and running gear and a decorated cratch board were also provided.

SWALLOW was sold to her present owners in April 2019, and is being used for leisure and historic boating.  Restoration work has continued, including repainting the cabin, foredeck and counter.

Click here for a 360o virtual tour of SWALLOW. Source: Harald Joergens Photography.