Name Judith Anne

JUDITH ANN is a Narrow BCN tug of oak/opepe carvel construction, built for use on the Inland Waterways. The builder was Peter Keay & Son of Walsall and the date of build was 1943. Her engine is a Kelvin F2 petrol/paraffin model dating from 1928. It is believed she was built to Ministry of Supply order to tow coal boats to Wolverhampton Power Station and subsequently used for general towage on the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Following a long decline under various owners she was bought for restoration in 2005 and was professionally replanked by Bates Yard at Puttenham on the Aylesbury Arm. The hull is believed to have been based on a Shropshire fly boat design and is only four planks deep. It is very fine lined and has a pronounced concave bow. The lines were taken off before restoration began. It is one of only two Keay's tugs extant and as such was worth the cost of restoration. There are numerous photographs of JUDITH ANN working, many of which are held by Walsall museums service. It is intended that the boat will be used as a tug, towing suitable hulls fitted as camping boats for youth groups.