Starcross | National Historic Ships

Registration number 3694

Status Registered

victoria.wallworth

Starcross at London Canal Museum Nov 2022

Previous names

1932 - 1968 STARCROSS
1968 - 1980 WELSH UNION
1980 STARCROSS

Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Narrow Boat

Location River Lea

Vessel type Butty

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Walker, W H & Brothers, Rickmansworth

Built in 1936

Hull material Wood

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Outboard

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

7.00 feet (2.13m)

Air Draft

8.00 feet (2.44m)

Length: Overall

72.00 feet (21.95m)

Tonnage: Gross

30.00

History

STARCROSS is an F-type butty, built in Rickmansworth in 1936 by W.H.Walker & Bros Ltd. A Townclass Large Ricky, she was one of 62 vessels commissioned by the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company. She was used as a working boat for haulage of goods and coal connections. It was previously owned by the Welsh Legion where she was used for volunteers to reside in while working on canal restoration. She had also previously been towed by a buddy Ricky tug boat, and pulled by horse.

On 22nd December 2020, the current owner rescued STARCROSS from sinking to the bottom of Grand Union Canal in Apsley. STARCROSS was refloated with the support of Warren's Pump Out service, navigated to Tringe to Bates Boat Yard, surveyed by Balliol Fowden from Anglo Euro Marine, and was reblacked, recaulked and slide plate added to helm.

STARCROSS is made from all oak. 75% of the Hull has been replaced and 25% remains the original hull. She was restored at Bates boatyard Bourne End. STARCROSS is currently moored in the River Lea, and was blacked in September 2023. A new Transom fitted. Mercury Big Foot. 2.5 a special type of motor boasting extended, strengthened gearbox and tilt facility with controller, better suited for deep draft, she is now capable of self propulsion as she would have originally be horse-drawn or accompanied

June 2024: The vessel is currently up for sale

Key dates

2020-12-22 Sunk to the bottom Grand Union Canal Apsley
2020-12-24 Pumped out and bailed by Murry's pump out Apsley, rescued by Scott MacDonald new owner.
2021-06-10 Repaired breaches, blacked and rechaulked Bates Boatyard Tringe.
March 2023
Sunk Tottenham Pound
March 2023
Refloated, no damage or breaches, water level issues at Pymmes Sluice and tying off incorrectly, ingress was caused by the outlets, suitable bilge pumps has since been fitted x4.