Registration number 1422
Status Registered
a12admin

Previous names

  • 1944 - 1960 Olive
  • 1960 Carol-Anne

Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Barge
Location Chirk Basin
Current use Private use
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Barlow Coal Company, Samuel, Braunston, Daventry
Built in 1944
Hull material Other metal
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
6.60 feet (2.01m)
Depth
2.89 feet (0.88m)
Length: Overall
47.97 feet (14.63m)

History

THE SAUCY MRS FLOBSTER is a narrow boat built by Samuel Barlow Coal Carrying Company , Glascote in 1944.  She was originally named Olive and had the Birmingham Canal Navigations gauging number BCN2226, built for and by the Samuel Barlow Coal Carrying Company at Glascote Dock.  She replaced a 1910 horse boat Olive-May as Barlows No 56 and probably worked from the Tamworth area colleries along the Birmingham and Fazely canal to Birmingham

She was sold in 1953 to the British Electricity Authority and turned into the houseboat Carol Anne in the1960's (BCN 2226).

In 1984 she was converted into a cruising boat. Her original hull was made of timber built on steel frames, but this was replaced with steel in the early 1980s.  Re-engined twice in 1988 (Ailsa Craig, then Perkins P4) and moved to Banbury, she was sold again in 1990 while still on the Grand Union, and re-named Oliver.  Acquired by further, new, owners in 1990/1 and moved to March, Cambs, she had her cabin extended and was used as a houseboat.

Bought by her current owner in 1992, she was re-named THE SAUCY MRS FLOBSTER.

Key dates

  • 1944

    Narrow boat built by the Samuel Barlow Coal Carrying Company, Glascote and named OLIVE

  • 1953

    Sold to the British Electricity Authority

  • 1960s

    Converted into houseboat and renamed CAROL ANNE

  • 1973

    Sold into private hands and given a cabin

  • early 1980s

    Original hull of timber built on steel frames replaced with steel 

  • 1985

    Converted into cruising boat with hull shortened from 60 to 48 feet

  • 1988

    Sold to new owner as BLACK WITCH

  • 1990

    Bought by Gery and Sue MaMahon and renamed OLIVER

  • 1992

    Purchased by current owners, renamed and relocated to Chirk on Shropshire Union Canal

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk