Petrel | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2490

Status Registered

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Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Narrow Boat

Location Staffs and Worcester Canal

Vessel type Josher

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Fellows, Morton & Clayton, Saltley Dock

Built in 1914

Hull material Iron

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Inboard diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Air Draft

5.50 feet (1.68m)

Breadth: Beam

7.00 feet (2.14m)

Depth

3.00 feet (0.92m)

Length: Overall

70.50 feet (21.50m)

History

PETREL is a narrow boat of iron plate construction with a Lister HR2 diesel engine. She was built in 1914 by Fellows Morton & Clayton at Saltley Dock, Birmingham. She remained in the FMC fleet nationalisation, then transferred to D&IWE south eastern fleet. Her Bolinder engine was removed and an Armstrong Merganser fitted by them in the 1950s. PETREL was hired in the 1960s from British Waterways by Willow Wren but never actually used by them for carrying. She was reposessed by British Waterways and sold to Union Canal Carriers and re engined by them in the 1970s. Sold from UCC into private ownership in 1981, she was owned by the same family until 2024, when sold to present owner. She is maintained in carrying condition.