Lucy | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2017

Status Registered

a12admin

Lucy moored in Teb Yard, Braunston November 2009

Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Narrow Boat

Location Braunston

Vessel type Butty

Current use None

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Nurser Brothers, Braunston

Built in 1951

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Towed

Primary engine type None

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

7.00 feet (2.14m)

Depth

3.00 feet (0.92m)

Length: Overall

72.00 feet (21.96m)

History

Now in new owners hands, and the subject of a rescue and reconstruction project. After careful recording, she will be rebuilt plank by plank in Braunston, her birthplace. She was lifted on a custom made steel frame in May 2009. Timber for her reconstruction is now being sourced. LUCY is currently located at Tess Wharf, Braunston. Built in 1953 by Nursers of Braunston, LUCY is a narrowboat butty. The original owner was Sir John Knill who operated a fleet of working narrowboats, and LUCY was a towed vessel. She was sold to Samuel Barlows in 1955 and subsequently to Blue Line. LUCY is the last unconverted nurser butty left, she is closely connected with Sir John Knill, one of the founders of the Inland Waterways Association. She was one of the last regular long distance carrying boats.