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NB "Battersea" BW 49292 - Historic Narrowboats

Narrowboat Battersea 49292

Battersea is a "Big Woolwich" first registered at Brentford, number 592 and now with British Waterways number 49292; as a powered craft (24BHP) with a metal hull, built in 1936 by Harland and Wolf with the fleet number 112.

Length 71ft 6in (21.8); Beam 7 feet (2.14m); Draft 2 feet 9 inches (0.84m).

Originally G.U.C.C. Co. Ltd. believed paired with butty 230, Bayswater.

During WWII she was used by Ely and Kit Gayford as a training vessel to train the women of the 'IW Ladies' who took over from the men on ‘the cut’ and paired with 382 Uttoxeter at times.

Paired with butty Ewell in 1950. Re-sold by BWB in 1967.

We personally saw Narrowboat Battersea on 14 November 2009 at The Anchor PH, High Offley on the Shropshire Union Canal and she was in good order.

Looking great in her G.U.C.C. Co. Ltd. livery.

Battersea has been re-bottomed and fully fitted out inside under the cloths.

Thanks to Colin Walker, who owned NB Battersea from 1975 – 1979, we have been able to add some details to our original text.

Colin Walker bought her in working trim and Battersea carried coal both for sale from the boat and the odd direct delivery to David Blaygrove at Stoke Bruerne. Battersea was powered by a Petter PD2 at that time.

Battersea was the first loaded boat (with 17 tons) to go up the re-opened Erewash Canal and it is believed she was the first loaded boat to make it to Froghall on the Caldon Canal when re-opened.

Early in the summer of 1976 the midlands canals were drying up and Battersea was taken her down onto the Thames where she could, at least, move. Over the winter of 1976/7 there was a little conversion and fitted her up with 48 seats to carry passengers. This was aimed mainly at disabled organisations. Battersea was sold as a going concern, based at Radcot on the upper Thames to one Nicholas Elwis.

Battersea was paired with butty 203 Actis in 2004 for shows.

If you have any more information about Battersea, please let us know HERE

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