Details
Construction
Dimensions
History
ACHILLES was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd., at Woolwich, in November 1935 and was commissioned by the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company. She was a 70ft 'Star' class narrowboat butty, designed to work as a pair, and was inherited by British Waterways in 1948. After 1965, ACHILLES was purchased by the Birmingham & Midland Canal Carrying Company and used to carry cargo alongside the motor COLLINGWOOD until the 1970s.
Between 2015-2021, under the ownership of the boat restorer Roger Farrington, ACHILLES was cut in half and converted into two separate motor vessels at Braunston Marina. The stern end of the vessel - still called ACHILLES - is now a 45ft small Woolwich tug and has been fully restored as of 2021, with a new stern, new base plate, all rotted steel replaced, and completely refitted interior.
Update, February 2025: Under new ownership.
Key dates
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1935
Built by Harland & Wolf at Woolwich, London as a Star Class Butty boat for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co Fleet
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1935 - 1947
Worked with a motorboat as a commercial cargo-carrying pair
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1948
Inherited by the British Transport Commission
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1948 - 1965
Continued working with a motorboat as a commercial cargo-carrying pair
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1965
Bought by Birmingham & Midland Canal Carrying Company
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1956 - 1970s
Continued use in traditional cargo trade with motor Collingwood
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1970s
Interior converted for camping
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2005
Vessel in care of and livery of Birmingham Canal Boat Services Ltd, a successor to the Birmingham & Midland Canal Carrying Company. Restoration not yet started
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2012
Ownership unknown
Sources
Alan H Faulkner, The George & the Mary (1973) pub: Robert Wilson
Waterways World (October, 1999, pp50-54)
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If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
