dark_island2002
Nb ''Python''
Chesterfield Canal, Shireoaks
The historic narrowboat Python, now owned and operated by the Chesterfield Canal Trust, was built in 1929 for Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd by W J Yarwoods & Son of Northwich and was fitted out at Uxbridge. Commissioned in February 1930, her fleet number was 249 and her registration number was UXB 572. She was built on the same works number as her sister boat Panther, which is now owned by the Coventry Canal Society. Python also used to be the motor to the butty Fazeley, which is now fully restored. Of coppered steel construction, she was originally built as a 70' vessel with a Josher bow* and fitted with a Bolinder 5 hp engine. Python was used as a carrier in the Fellows Morton & Clayton fleet until 1949 when she was sold to the British Transport Commission (later to become British Waterways Board) and passed into the South Eastern Division carrying fleet. In 1960 she was given a major overhaul and fitted with a new engine, and in 1974 became part of British Waterways' maintenance fleet when she was subsequently shortened to 53' in 1982 and her cabin rebuilt to the current format of rear engine room, crew cabin and forward store. But with the introduction of more modern, purpose built vessels she was soon to become redundant and fell into disuse for a number of years. After a lengthy period of neglect Python was handed over to the Chesterfield Canal Trust in 2009 who have a team of volunteers dedicated to ensuring her care and maintenance as a promotional vessel for the work of the Trust. Python is currently decked out as a tug and repainted in British Waterways' blue and yellow colours. She is also registered on the National Historic Ships register.
Josher Bow
A distinctive bow design named after Joshua Fellows of Fellows, Morton & Clayton. The long, slender bow with its double curvature became a specified company style, almost a trademark. Some replica narrowboat designs incorporate false rivets to simulate the construction method used on the original vessels.
Geograph®: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6251414
Nb ''Python''
Chesterfield Canal, Shireoaks
The historic narrowboat Python, now owned and operated by the Chesterfield Canal Trust, was built in 1929 for Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd by W J Yarwoods & Son of Northwich and was fitted out at Uxbridge. Commissioned in February 1930, her fleet number was 249 and her registration number was UXB 572. She was built on the same works number as her sister boat Panther, which is now owned by the Coventry Canal Society. Python also used to be the motor to the butty Fazeley, which is now fully restored. Of coppered steel construction, she was originally built as a 70' vessel with a Josher bow* and fitted with a Bolinder 5 hp engine. Python was used as a carrier in the Fellows Morton & Clayton fleet until 1949 when she was sold to the British Transport Commission (later to become British Waterways Board) and passed into the South Eastern Division carrying fleet. In 1960 she was given a major overhaul and fitted with a new engine, and in 1974 became part of British Waterways' maintenance fleet when she was subsequently shortened to 53' in 1982 and her cabin rebuilt to the current format of rear engine room, crew cabin and forward store. But with the introduction of more modern, purpose built vessels she was soon to become redundant and fell into disuse for a number of years. After a lengthy period of neglect Python was handed over to the Chesterfield Canal Trust in 2009 who have a team of volunteers dedicated to ensuring her care and maintenance as a promotional vessel for the work of the Trust. Python is currently decked out as a tug and repainted in British Waterways' blue and yellow colours. She is also registered on the National Historic Ships register.
Josher Bow
A distinctive bow design named after Joshua Fellows of Fellows, Morton & Clayton. The long, slender bow with its double curvature became a specified company style, almost a trademark. Some replica narrowboat designs incorporate false rivets to simulate the construction method used on the original vessels.
Geograph®: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6251414