Ashton, Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canal Maintenance Boats

THE COMPANY'S BOATS

Some years ago I was discussing with John Pitman of Droylsden the history of the surviving wooden maintenance boats that had been operated on the Ashton, Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals by British Waterways, and its railway predecessors, The London North Eastern Railway, Great Central Railway, and Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. Several had lasted until the 1960's/70's and the Joel and Maria can still be seen on the Ashton Canal at the Ashton Canal Carriers yard at Guide Bridge.

Boat
Maintenance boat Kate at Furness Vale c1900

John has always been keen on recording the history of working boats and he sent me a list of his findings after several years of research. I thought that this would be of interest, particularly to those who remember those sunken maintenance boats along the Macclesfield Canal and at Marple and Whaley Bridge.

boatyard

Black wharf (formerly Marple wharf). The view is looking north east from Posset bridge and it is dated 1851. Lock 12 is on the left and the small building to the right of it is a forge. The larger building behind it is lockhouse. The houses on the right are on Oldknow Road. This is probably the oldest photograph of the Peak Forest Canal

Photo: Courtesy of Jim Peden Photographs of Transport and Industrial History
Dock entrance

Maintenance of the Company's boats was undertaken at Gorton "Tank" which was located on the Stockport Branch of the Ashton Canal close to the junction with the main line. This photograph shows the entrance to the dock and maintenance yard in 1950.

Photo: Courtesy of Jim Peden Photographs of Transport and Industrial History
Motor boat on Gorton dock

Inside the drydock at Gorton c1950. A motor maintenance boat is undergoing a major refit. This could be the ex Fellows Morton and Clayton former steamer 'President'.

Boat List
Date New Fleet No. Boat Name Registration Notes (location details relate to 1890)

----------------- ------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------

2/1853 1 Fanny M/cr 434 Bank Boat - Dukinfield/Hyde

12/1853 2 Lucy M/cr 334 Under repair 1890, Bank Boat - Poynton/Dukinfield, Worn out 4/33, Sunk 10/37, Broken up

4/1854 3 Josephine M/cr 406 Bank Boat - Bugsworth/Marple, Broken up by 7/29

(Built) 7/1854 4 Maria M/cr 316 At Crusher - Bugsworth, Built Jinks £155, ex Buxton Lime Co, BW No.4, To PFCS/ACC 1972

11/1854 5 Sophia M/cr 380 Goods Boat - Manchester to Bugsworth (later paint boat at Gorton Yard), Worn out 4/33

3/1855 6 Margaret M/cr 524 Goods Boat - Manchester/Bollington, Broken up

7/1855 7 Jane M/cr 433 Bank Boat - Stockport Canal, Broken up 12/28

8 Ernest Goods Boat - Bugsworth/Whaley Bridge, May have been replaced by Mary in 1891

6/1891 8 Mary Goods Boat - Bugsworth/Whaley Bridge, Sold to J Potts 1893

6/1856 9 Emma M/cr 459 Bank Boat - Dukinfield/Hyde, Worn out 4/33, Sunk 10/37

11/1856 10 Annie M/cr 498 Goods Boat - Manchester/Bugsworth, Broken up 5/03

6/1857 11 Violet Bank Boat - Peak Forest Canal (later to Gorton), Still in existence 6/46

11/1857 12 Ellen M/cr 457 Goods Boat, Broken up June 1888

8/1890 12 Lizzie M/cr 457 Goods Boat - New Mills, Replaced Ellen

3/1858 13 Polly M/cr 561 Goods Boat - Manchester, Sold to J Potts 1894

8/1858 14 Kate M/cr 418 Dredger - Bugsworth (later Bank Boat- Macclesfield), Sunk 10/37, remains still at Marple Locks 1973

11/1858 15 Flora M/cr 463 Bank Boat - Ashton Canal, Shortened to 58ft 1/1896, Still in existence 10/44

4/1859 16 Lillie M/cr 478 Dredger - Ashton Canal & Stockport Canal, Sunk /29

11/1859 17 Rose M/cr 353 Goods Boat - Manchester/Stockport/Hyde, Poor /36, Sunk 6/43

5/1860 18 Agnes M/cr 429 Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Worn out 4/33, Sunk Bosley 10/37

43 Bessie Bank Boat - Waterhouses (may have been replaced by Nellie)

(Built) 12/1864 43 Nellie M/cr 118 Bank Boat - Waterhouses, Short boat for Waterhouses & Hollinwood Canal, In service by /92, Broken up by 7/29

10/1864 19 Ethel M/cr 554 Goods Boat - Manchester/Bugsworth, Broken up by 7/29

3/1866 20 Archibald M/cr 653 Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Broken up by 7/29

10/1866 21 George M/cr 522 Bank Boat - Gorton Yard, Still in existence 10/44

(Built) 12/1869 40 Lilly M/cr 428 Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Broken up 1898

5/1870 22 Charles M/cr 430 Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Still in existence /00

8/1870 23 Saturn M/cr 427 Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Still in existence /29

2/1871 24 Triton M/cr 421 Stone Boat, Bugsworth, Still in existence /09

3/1875 25 Atlas M/cr 449 Goods Boat - Manchester Stockport/Hyde, Still in existence /07

6/1875 26 Venus M/cr 450 Goods Boat - Manchester/Marple, Still in existence 10/44

38 Ruby Ex Anderton Co 4/1876, sunk on Macclesfield canal 1/1890, Broken up 1894

39 Pearl M/cr 445 Ex Anderton Co 4/1876, Bank Boat - Congleton, Broken up 1893

6/1876 27 Eagle M/cr 422 Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Bad 6/43

2/1877 28 Mars M/cr 417 Goods Boat - Manchester, Still in existence /09

7/1877 29 Ariel M/cr 346 Goods Boat - Manchester & Marple, Sold to 'Brown' Manchester

12/1880 30 Star M/cr 491 Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, Still in existence /36

12/1881 31 Dove M/cr 521 Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, BW - RB31 Nwn, Destroyed in fire at Portland Basin 1972

7/1882 32 Hawk M/cr 537 Goods Boat - Manchester & Bugsworth, Sold to 'Gorman' Manchester

3/1883 33 Sarah M/cr 546 Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, Sold to 'Gorman' Manchester

2/1884 34 Alice M/cr 552 Goods Boat - Manchester & Marple, Lodge boat 5/1898, Still in existence /29

42 Jenny Lind Bank Boat - Ashton Canal, Repaired /1885, Still in existence /11

8/1886 35 Nymph M/cr 608 Goods Boat - Manchester & Marple, To A Wood, Sowerby Bridge

11/1886 36 Ceres M/cr 616 Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, To A Wood, Sowerby Bridge after 4/1891

1/1888 37 Ajax M/cr 628 Goods Boat - Manchester & Bugsworth, To Abraham Hartley, Hollinwood 12/1897

4/1889 Intrepid Survey Boat - Fairfield, still in existence 10/44

40 Centaur Broken up

41 Juno Bank Boat - Macclesfield Canal, Broken up 1892

(Built) 6/1891 Ernest

(Built) 1911
8
Mary Ex Buxton Lime Co, converted to hand dredger /43. Believed burnt at Gorton 1963

(Built) 1917 Joseph Ex Buxton Lime Co by /24, rebuilt to steam dredger 1924. Still in existence /52

(Built) 1917 Betty Ex Buxton Lime Co by /24. Broken up and burned late 1960's below lock 6 at Bosley

(Built) 1918 9 Joel Ex Buxton Lime Co by /26, Rebuilt to Motor Boat /29, Broken up after 8/48

(Built) 1901-5 Trojan Ex Anderton Co by 4/33. BW - RB46 Nwn, Broken up 1975

(Built) 1901-5 Tyrian Ex Anderton Co by 4/33, Hand dredge boat

(Built) 1901-5 Medic Ex Anderton Co by /36, BW - RB16 Nwn, To PFCS/ACC 1972

(Built) 1901-5 Istrian Ex Anderton Co by /36

(Built) 1901-5 Scotia/Scoatia Motor 18hp, Ex Anderton Co by /36, sunk in Whatcroft Flash and now in 2 pieces at Runcorn

c1915 Agnes Built Jinks, Hand dredger, Still in existence 10/44

c1915 Alice Built Jinks, Hand dredger, Still in existence 10/44

35 Henry By 10/37, Broken up and burned below lock 6 at Bosley 1960's

Cecil By 10/37, Still in existence 10/44

Martha From Runcorn by 5/44, Still in existence 5/48

Jane From Runcorn by 10/44, Still in existence 8/52

8/1948 9 Joel BW - CS/9/Nwn, Motor Boat, to PFCS/ACC 1972

President By /48, Motor Boat, BW - CS/15/Nwn

Wanderer By /48, Motor Boat

Scythia By /61, Weedcutter, BW - WC/2/Nwn

Boat List
Date New	Fleet No.	Boat Name	Registration	Notes (location details relate to 1890)
-----------------	------------------	----------------------	-------------------------------	-------------------------------------------------------------
2/1853	1	Fanny	M/cr 434	Bank Boat - Dukinfield/Hyde
12/1853	2	Lucy	M/cr 334	Under repair 1890, Bank Boat - Poynton/Dukinfield, Worn out 4/33, Sunk 10/37, Broken up
4/1854	3	Josephine	M/cr 406	Bank Boat - Bugsworth/Marple, Broken up by 7/29
(Built) 7/1854	4	Maria	M/cr 316	At Crusher - Bugsworth, Built Jinks £155, ex Buxton Lime Co, BW No.4, To PFCS/ACC 1972
11/1854	5	Sophia	M/cr 380	Goods Boat - Manchester to Bugsworth (later paint boat at Gorton Yard), Worn out 4/33
3/1855	6	Margaret	M/cr 524	Goods Boat - Manchester/Bollington, Broken up
7/1855	7	Jane	M/cr 433	Bank Boat - Stockport Canal, Broken up 12/28
	8	Ernest		Goods Boat - Bugsworth/Whaley Bridge, May have been replaced by Mary in 1891
6/1891	8	Mary		Goods Boat - Bugsworth/Whaley Bridge, Sold to J Potts 1893
6/1856	9	Emma	M/cr 459	Bank Boat - Dukinfield/Hyde, Worn out 4/33, Sunk 10/37
11/1856	10	Annie	M/cr 498	Goods Boat - Manchester/Bugsworth, Broken up 5/03
6/1857	11	Violet		Bank Boat - Peak Forest Canal (later to Gorton), Still in existence 6/46
11/1857	12	Ellen	M/cr 457	Goods Boat, Broken up June 1888
8/1890	12	Lizzie	M/cr 457	Goods Boat - New Mills, Replaced Ellen
3/1858	13	Polly	M/cr 561	Goods Boat - Manchester, Sold to J Potts 1894
8/1858	14	Kate	M/cr 418	Dredger - Bugsworth (later Bank Boat- Macclesfield), Sunk 10/37, remains still at Marple Locks 1973
11/1858	15	Flora	M/cr 463	Bank Boat - Ashton Canal, Shortened to 58ft 1/1896, Still in existence 10/44
4/1859	16	Lillie	M/cr 478	Dredger - Ashton Canal & Stockport Canal, Sunk /29
11/1859	17	Rose	M/cr 353	Goods Boat - Manchester/Stockport/Hyde, Poor /36, Sunk 6/43
5/1860	18	Agnes	M/cr 429	Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Worn out 4/33, Sunk Bosley 10/37
	43	Bessie		Bank Boat - Waterhouses (may have been replaced by Nellie)
(Built) 12/1864	43	Nellie	M/cr 118	Bank Boat - Waterhouses, Short boat for Waterhouses & Hollinwood Canal, In service by /92, Broken up by 7/29
10/1864	19	Ethel	M/cr 554	Goods Boat - Manchester/Bugsworth, Broken up by 7/29
3/1866	20	Archibald	M/cr 653	Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Broken up by 7/29
10/1866	21	George	M/cr 522	Bank Boat - Gorton Yard, Still in existence 10/44
(Built) 12/1869	40	Lilly	M/cr 428	Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Broken up 1898
5/1870	22	Charles	M/cr 430	Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Still in existence /00
8/1870	23	Saturn	M/cr 427	Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Still in existence /29
2/1871	24	Triton	M/cr 421	Stone Boat, Bugsworth, Still in existence /09
3/1875	25	Atlas	M/cr 449	Goods Boat - Manchester Stockport/Hyde, Still in existence /07
6/1875	26	Venus	M/cr 450	Goods Boat - Manchester/Marple, Still in existence 10/44
	38	Ruby		Ex Anderton Co 4/1876, sunk on Macclesfield canal 1/1890, Broken up 1894
	39	Pearl	M/cr 445	Ex Anderton Co 4/1876, Bank Boat - Congleton, Broken up 1893
6/1876	27	Eagle	M/cr 422	Stone Boat - Bugsworth, Bad 6/43
2/1877	28	Mars	M/cr 417	Goods Boat - Manchester, Still in existence /09
7/1877	29	Ariel	M/cr 346	Goods Boat - Manchester & Marple, Sold to 'Brown' Manchester
12/1880	30	Star	M/cr 491	Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, Still in existence /36
12/1881	31	Dove	M/cr 521	Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, BW - RB31 Nwn, Destroyed in fire at Portland Basin 1972
7/1882	32	Hawk	M/cr 537	Goods Boat - Manchester & Bugsworth, Sold to 'Gorman' Manchester
3/1883	33	Sarah	M/cr 546	Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, Sold to 'Gorman' Manchester
2/1884	34	Alice	M/cr 552	Goods Boat - Manchester & Marple, Lodge boat 5/1898, Still in existence /29
	42	Jenny Lind		Bank Boat - Ashton Canal, Repaired /1885, Still in existence /11
8/1886	35	Nymph	M/cr 608	Goods Boat - Manchester & Marple, To A Wood, Sowerby Bridge
11/1886	36	Ceres	M/cr 616	Goods Boat - Manchester & Macclesfield, To A Wood, Sowerby Bridge after 4/1891
1/1888	37	Ajax	M/cr 628	Goods Boat - Manchester & Bugsworth, To Abraham Hartley, Hollinwood 12/1897
4/1889		Intrepid		Survey Boat - Fairfield, still in existence 10/44
	40	Centaur		Broken up
	41	Juno		Bank Boat - Macclesfield Canal, Broken up 1892
(Built) 6/1891		Ernest
(Built) 1911	8	Mary		Ex Buxton Lime Co, converted to hand dredger /43. Believed burnt at Gorton 1963
(Built) 1917		Joseph		Ex Buxton Lime Co by /24, rebuilt to steam dredger 1924. Still in existence /52
(Built) 1917		Betty		Ex Buxton Lime Co by /24. Broken up and burned late 1960's below lock 6 at Bosley
(Built) 1918	9	Joel		Ex Buxton Lime Co by /26, Rebuilt to Motor Boat /29, Broken up after 8/48
(Built) 1901-5		Trojan		Ex Anderton Co by 4/33. BW - RB46 Nwn, Broken up 1975
(Built) 1901-5		Tyrian		Ex Anderton Co by 4/33, Hand dredge boat
(Built) 1901-5		Medic		Ex Anderton Co by /36, BW - RB16 Nwn, To PFCS/ACC 1972
(Built) 1901-5		Istrian		Ex Anderton Co by /36
(Built) 1901-5		Scotia/Scoatia		Motor 18hp, Ex Anderton Co by /36, sunk in Whatcroft Flash and now in 2 pieces at Runcorn
c1915		Agnes		Built Jinks, Hand dredger, Still in existence 10/44
c1915		Alice		Built Jinks, Hand dredger, Still in existence 10/44
	35	Henry		By 10/37, Broken up and burned below lock 6 at Bosley 1960's
		Cecil		By 10/37, Still in existence 10/44
		Martha		From Runcorn by 5/44, Still in existence 5/48
		Jane		From Runcorn by 10/44, Still in existence 8/52
8/1948	9	Joel		BW - CS/9/Nwn, Motor Boat, to PFCS/ACC 1972
		President		By /48, Motor Boat, BW - CS/15/Nwn
		Wanderer		By /48, Motor Boat
		Scythia		By /61, Weedcutter, BW - WC/2/Nwn

Istrian or Tyrian was sunk at Macclesfield Bridge 41 by 6/65, gone by /68

There were also seven Ice Boats in 1890 allocated as under:

Stockport Canal
Bardsley Canal
Peak Forest Canal bottom level
Peak Forest Canal top level
Peak Forest Canal Bugsworth
Macclesfield Canal Bollington
Macclesfield Canal Bosley/Congleton

Joel
The original Joel in Lock 17 Ashton Canal, 1936

These were all wooden boats except for President, Scythia and possibly Wanderer, many lasted until well after the Second World War and yet few photographs survive. If you have any old photographs of maintenance boats on the Macclesfield and adjacent canals I would be very grateful to receive copies or the opportunity to make copies

boat
Scotia with Sunday School party at Bollington on the Macclesfield Canal

Medic at Dukinfield 5-3-1972 Photo: Harold Bode via Alan Kick

Can anyone add to this information? I would welcome any further details that you may be able to supply on any maintenance boat on the Ashton, Peak and Macclesfield canals or the history of traffic and trade on these waterways. If you can help please let me know.

Back to Ashton, Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals Page

Last updated 22.5.2009