Historic canal boats yesterday

Passing through Audlem yesterday were two historic canal boats, President and Kildare, on their way to a major canal event at Chester this coming weekend.

They stayed overnight just above lock 14.

President is the only remaining originally steam powered canal boat in Britain. It was built in 1909 by canal carriers Fellows, Morton & Clayton, converted to diesel in the 1920s, but back to steam power in the mid 1970s.

Kildare, an unpowered butty boat, dates from 1913.

Both boats are normally kept at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, but make regular trips elsewhere to help publicise the Museum.

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