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Registration number
2619
Status
Registered
a12admin
Details
Function
Cargo Vessel
Subfunction
Narrow Boat
Location
Warwick
Vessel type
Horse Drawn
Current use
Ongoing conservation
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Construction
Builder
Lees & Atkins, Polesworth, Staffordshire
Built in
1928
Hull material
Wood
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Propulsion
Motor
Number of engines
1
Primary engine type
Diesel
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Length: Overall
71.00 feet
(21.64m)
Breadth: Beam
7.00 feet
(2.13m)
History
MABEL was converted from being horse drawn to a counter sterned motor boat by Leeds and Atkins, Polesworth, for John Wilson in 1934.
In 1951, she was registered in London and was being used as a carrying boat before being converted in 1953/1954 to a 'hotel boat' by Tooley, Banbury for the same owner, trading as inland navigators. In 1955 MABEL ran with hotel boats NANCY and NELSON and then ran with the butty MALBERN in 1956.
She was then paired with the butty FORGET-ME-NOT in 1957 and continued to run as a hotel boat. Her Petter engine was replaced with an Armstrong Siddley in 1959.
In 1963, the vessel was sold to an owner trading as an 'inland waterways holiday cruiser', followed by new ownership again in 1991 when MABEL was then run between Ilangollen and Chester canal. MABEL and FORGET-ME-NOT were regsitered sunk and abandoned by the Waterways in December 1998 but she was saved and in 2001 converted, including dry docking where she was caulked and blacked keelson chine planks. Her side planks were also replaced.
Update, February 2023: MABEL is currently up for sale with sister vessel FORGET-ME-NOT.
We are lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel past or present, please contact us.
Key dates
- 1928 Vessel built by Lees & Arkins, Polesworth
- 1934 Converted from horse drawn to counter sterned motor boat
- 1953/54 Converted to a 'hotel boat' by Tooley, Banbury.
- 1998 Registered sunk and abandoned by the Waterways in December
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
