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Innocents Afloat, by Jeremy Scanlon

CanalCuttings Book Review of Innocents Afloat: a Yank Discovers The Cut, by Jeremy Scanlon.

The subtitle almost says it all. A then young American academic arrives in England in London's 'Swinging 60s' and is intrigued by our waterways. His curiosity aroused, in 1968 he returns with his wife and a couple of friends to take a canal cruising holiday on the northern section of the Shropshire Union (Chester) and Llangollen Canals.

Having whetted his appetite two years later they return again with another American family to join them on a larger boat, his time for a couple of months.

Jeremy Scanlon was an English history teacher by profession and becomes deeply fascinated with the historic English inland waterways.

The book retells Jeremy's time on the system, from the basics of boating to his appreciation of the background and history of the canals and the English countryside he visits.

Telling too how he became a 'floating inn-keeper' on his trad narrowboat 'Unicorn'.

A well-written and an interesting book capturing a bit of canal history, a time between when the narrowboat cargo carrying business stopped and canal boat tourism developed into an new industry.

We won't spoil the story; but Innocents Afloat is a really good read - Innocents Afloat was first published in 1999 and many boaters will have read it by now. But if you haven't, make an effort to get hold of a copy; we think you'll enjoy it!

Innocents Afloat is privately published, and doesn't have an ISBN. We couldn't find it on Amazon, even in the used section. And there's a book with a similar name which is on Amazon: Innocents Afloat: Close Encounters with Sailors, Boats and Places from Maine to Florida. So don't get the wrong book there!

It is possible to buy the book from the IWA Shop and some canal chandleries, but if you are passing through Lapworth Locks you will find 'Unicorn' at its home mooring near the top lock.

His web page advises: Available in America from England Afloat, 66 Old Holyoke Road, Westfield MA 01085, and in UK from England Afloat, 1 Canal Cottage, Old Warwick Road, Lapworth, Solihull B94 6BA. Checks (Cheques) in amount of $13.00 / £9.00 to Jeremy Scanlon include P&P.

Post to the Canal Cottage address will reach Jeremy eventually. Email to jeremy.scanlon@virgin.net works well in the winter, but during the boating season try the phone: 07973 483 724. From America, dial 011 44 7973 483 724. If you don't get a reply, leave your number on the answerphone and he’ll be happy to ring you back.