Adamant | National Historic Ships

Registration number 6

Status Registered

adminnhs

Previous names

1988 - 1993 Gladys

Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Narrow Boat

Location Stockton

Vessel type Narrowboat - Joey

Current use Private use

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Info required Yes

Construction

Built in 1890

Hull material Iron

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Steam

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Steam

Boiler type Scotch Return Tube

Boilermaker Severn-Lamb Ltd

Boiler year 1978

Boiler fuel coal

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

6.10 feet (1.86m)

Depth

3.20 feet (0.98m)

Length: Overall

56.00 feet (17.08m)

History

ADAMANT was built in Birmingham as a long open Joey boat in 1890, maker unknown.

A new boat was created in 1988 from two rescued Birmingham 'Day Boat' hulls c 1890s. These were welded back to back to form the hull, and a new counter and cabin were added. The new boat was designed by by C. Stubbings at Stockton, Warwickshire, and modelled on a Bridgewater canal tunnel tug. She was then sold and renamed GLADYS. A steam plant was also fitted but not completed at this time. The 1954 engine was built by W Sisson & Co. Ltd, this was replaced in 2002 by a Cochrane compound engine.

GLADYS was sold to a private buyer in 1993. She first steamed Easter 1995, and has steamed each year since. At some point she changed owners and reverted to her original name of ADAMANT.

Update, March 2025: Vessel for sale.

We are lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel past or present, please contact us.

Key dates

1890 Built as a narrow boat Joey, a horse drawn working boat Maker unknown
1988 Shortened and superstructure added Renamed GLADYS
1993 Machinery fitted, first steamed 1995 Renamed ADAMANT
1995 - 1998
First steamed in the Midlands Canal system
1998
Owned by Hillmorton
2002 - 2003
Engine and boiler replaced
2006
Located on the Grand Union Canal at Stockton

Sources

Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles (May Edition 6, 1994) pub: Steam Boat Association of Great Britain