Autherley

49ft wooden motor ice boat / tug.

Built 1933/4 at Penkridge to designs by Petters Ltd who also supplied the engine, believed to be water-cooled diesel or paraffin type.

Owned by Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Co for use on the northern section.

Main use believed to be towing coal boats from Cannock area to Stourport Gas, Light & Coke Co.

Subsequent history is somewhat unclear.  It was claimed to be in private ownership after finishing on the Staffs & Worcs, but was in British Waterways’ ownership in 1964.  It would seem likely that it passed from S&WCCo to D&IWE on nationalisation, and perhaps was hired out privately from time to time.

By 1964: Owned by BW and in use as a tug on the BCN

Late 1960s: Owned by BW and in use as maintenance boat in North West, now with AS2 engine.

c1970: Sold to private ownership.

1975: Top of hull substantially renewed including new counter block; engine and cabin rebuilt.

c1979: Front deck removed and well deck created by ME Braine (Boatbuilders).

2000: Winner of the HNBOC Keay Award.

Sometime between 2009 & 2017: Cabin removed forward of engine room and front deck reinstated.

Note: Malcolm Braine was of the opinion that it was originally built as a conventional horse-drawn ice boat, and converted to a motor boat in 1933/4, whereas other sources consider it was purpose-built as a motor boat.

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