Name Anson

ANSON was built in 1958 by Plimblott & Sons, one of 8 boats (4 pairs) ordered by the North West division of British Waterways. She was originally paired with the butty BENBOW. She and her sisters were designed to work effectively on the poorly maintained North West canals, and had new features such as a raked fore-swim (to send a cushion of water under the boat and therefore to the propeller), steel hoops over the hold (to facilitate quick coverage of cargo), and a 6'10 beam (to allow passage through locks with bulging walls).

It is thought that, due to a scheduling error circa 1960, she was the only boat to have taken coal to the Cannock Extension canal rather then away from it, so that her steerer might be with his wife for Christmas. She worked for British Waterways only briefly, being sold to the Birmingham and Midland Canal Carrying Co. around 1964. The company worked her as a cargo vessel until 1972, when she was given a full length cabin and entered trip boat service. The cabin was built under the new motorway bridge at Preston Brook Wharf and the windows were fitted at Grimshaw Lane Wharf in Bollington. ANSON remained in service as a passenger trip boat with BMCC Co. in its various guises continuously until 2023, when she was sold to her present owner and returned to Preston Brook for a cabin refit to allow her to continue her work as a passenger vessel.