Original butty stern used as fore-end. Awaiting restoration!
Archivist's comment: What we know for certain is that Northwich chopped an ex-FMC Saltley-built butty in two in 1960 to become the hire cruisers WATER FERN (stern half) and WATER GENTIAN (bow half). By comparing photographs of UNION ROSE and WATER FERN, it is clear that they are the same boat. Assuming this was a redundant butty from the North West fleet (as seems most likely), then it must be either HANWELL or FOXTON.
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