Autherley

49ft wooden motor ice boat / tug.

1933/4           Built 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.