Name The North

THE NORTH was built in 1925 by Yarwoods for Midlands and Coast, Wolverhampton Ltd as a horse-drawn boat working between Wolverhampton and River Severn.  She was constructed with iron rivetted sides. Sold to Hingleys in 1937, she was cut down to 44 ft tug length and motorised by Harrison Bros, B'ham (by heating and bending in iron plates to create swim). She was renamed Crown and painted in distinctive Hingleys grey livery.

Sold in 1958 to Malcolm Braine, renamed Lion and lenghtened to 50 ft with cabin conversion, THE NORTH still has this back cabin structure. She was then subsequently sold to Lawrence and Mavis Witherage (now Waldron).

THE NORTH was sold again in 1968 to a couple of short term owners and then to John and Phyllis Saxon (early 1970s) who lengthened the vessel to 70 ft and completed a fit out.   The vessel's main internal artwork was completed by Jesse Owens (now deceased).

Bought from Saxons by a further private owner in August 2010 who reverted the vessel back to her original name.  THE NORTH is believed to be one of the four remaining vessels of the Midlands and Coast group.  She is used regularly by family and friends, with presence at all major historic boat festivals.