Registration number 481
Status National Historic Fleet
a12admin
Merak alongside at Ellesmere Port - stern looking forwards
Merak at Ellesmere Port - starboard quarter
Merak - aerial view looking forwards
Merak at Ellesmere Port - bow view
Merak - port quarter
MERAK in secure storage offsite at Ellesmere Port
MERAK in secure storage offsite at Ellesmere Port
MERAK in secure storage offsite at Ellesmere Port
MERAK in secure storage offsite at Ellesmere Port, port quarter view of cabin
starboard facing

Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Narrow Boat
Location Morcombe
Current use Museum based
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No
Info required Yes

Construction

Builder Walker, W H & Brothers, Rickmansworth
Built in 1936
Hull material Iron
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Towed
Primary engine type None
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
7.21 feet (2.20m)
Depth
3.61 feet (1.10m)
Length: Overall
72.13 feet (22.00m)

History

The butty MERAK was built in 1936 by Walker Brothers, Rickmansworth for the Grand Union Canal Company and is a narrowboat constructed of oak and iron frames and oak planking. She is one of 12 pairs built by Walkers in 1936 and known as the Star class.

MERAK was separated from MEROPE while she was working but is now paired with her at the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port where she is now preserved ashore in secure offsite storage. She is the only Star class butty surviving in working condition.

Although this vessel is on the National Historic Fleet, we are currently lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel past or present, please contact us.

Key dates

  • 1936

    Built by Walker Bros. of Rickmansworth for the Grand Union Canal and paired with MEROPE
  • 2012

    Reunited with MEROPE afloat at the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port

Grants

  • Aug 2016

    Awarded by ACE Museum Resilience Fund of £313k for storage, lifting and moving priority boats and reinstatement of the dry dock at Ellesmere Port.

Sources

Brouwer, Norman J, International Register of Historic Ships, Anthony Nelson, pp163, Edition 2, 1993  

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