Name Fountain

1.      What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

FOUNTAIN’s hull form has remained unchanged during the course of her life, maintaining its unique design with riveted bow. Her function as a water carrier saw the inside of her hull treated to prevent corrosion and made of a thicker grade of steel.  This has kept her in good condition and suggests that her design may have been based on that of X-lighters used during the Gallipoli campaign. FOUNTAIN retains much original fabric, fixtures and fittings, including a 4 foot high anchor windlass and hand crank for manual operation, deck fittings, mooring bitts, rear bollard and tow hitch. Her original wheel survives with accompanying chain steering.  FOUNTAIN also retains her original chain driven telegraph, made by A. Robinson in the early 1950s, which is believed to be the only complete and working telegraph of its kind in its correct setting. The wheelhouse itself is teak framed and made of steel with twin teak doors to the rear fitted with original brass fittings and locks. The front of the wheelhouse has its original ladder and sports the Yarwoods Shipyard build plaque. The wheelhouse sits above the engine room and is connected by an original speaking tube. Her original mast is in place and can be unstepped for passing under bridges. FOUNTAIN was the first Thames barge to be designed and fitted with the then brand new 121hp Lister Blackstone diesel engine. Her Blackstone air compression start engine is in original condition in a separate engine room along with her Petter stationary engine which is used to assist in the start of her main engine. Early photographs also indicate that the engine room portholes, lifting hatches and covered access doorway remain as they were in her working life.  Her yard number 872 is still clearly visible on the vessel.

2.      What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

FOUNTAIN was built in 1952 by W. J Yarwood & Sons of Cheshire, but her principal associations are with the London and Kent area where she spent her working life until leaving service in the 1990s.  She was purpose built as the flagship of C. Crawley’s fleet and was the only vessel built for the purpose of carrying fresh water to vessels on the Thames and Medway, working out the West Pier at Gravesend. FOUNTAIN is now the only surviving Thames water carrier from this period.  She served the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA on its visits to London. She is well documented with an archive which includes: the original log book; the full fleet lists for C. Crawley Ltd; the original colour coding scheme for differentiating pipes onboard; and many photographs of her working life. Her original house flag also survives depicting a bucket against a green background to represent her work as a water carrier.  FOUNTAIN has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels since 2007.

3.      How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

FOUNTAIN’s unusual riveted bow is a striking feature of the vessel, with her strong steel hull made her robust for work as a water carrier.  Built as a modern version of the Thames barge, she had a high cargo capacity and her 3 cylinder engine gave her a speed of 7 knots when servicing vessels around the Thames and Medway.  She is now based in Colchester where she has been well maintained as a houseboat and museum.

Source:

Fountain Museum and Archives

National Historic Ships UK

17 March 2017