Name Dane

Built by the Mersey Weaver Ship and Canal Carrying Company at the Charles Stanyer yard, DANE is a narrowboat of oak/ opepe construction with an elm bottom. She is 70 feet long and 6 feet 11 inches wide, featuring a Lister JP2 diesel engine. During her early years, she primarily navigated the Trent & Mersey waterways until around 1957. It is believed that she mainly transported 30 tons of clay slip from Liverpool to the potteries at Stoke-on-Trent, with return trips often involving the shipment of finished crates of pottery back to the Port of Liverpool for onward shipment across the world.   

In 2012, DANE was purchased by the Narrow Boat Heritage Foundation and underwent intense restoration to her structure and mechanicals, with a full reconditioning of the diesel engine and expert direction of Ade Polglase, a master boat builder. Her owners believe she is the most complete and authentic rebuild of a wooden narrowboat for more than thirty years. 

Following restoration, DANE was gifted to Re-Form Heritage and is now based at the Middleport Pottery heritage site. She plays a vital role, contributing to the educational programme and operating public trips from April to October. Students and the public can learn about the history of the vessel and the Pottery, as well as the lives and challenges faced by workers transporting essential ware to Liverpool and Hull docks. Throughout the year, the DANE participates in local canal festivals, showcasing this beautiful and unique narrowboat to other communities and canal enthusiasts. She is also used for weddings and at Christmas, when Santa and Mrs Santa arrive on the narrowboat.