They have been arriving over recent days and the canal is now packed for the massive gathering of Historic Boats organised by Audlem Mill for this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday.
There's some real oldies amongst them, well over a hundred years old in some cases – one is even celebrating its centenary this year.
As the splendid leaflet describing the event says: "The annual Gathering of Historic Boats at Audlem, again has a record number of entries. The boats stretch from the main road bridge to beyond the bottom of the flight of locks. Please feel free to wander up and down the towpath to see all the boats.
"The canals were the major form of long distance transport for many decades until the arrival of the railways from the 1840s. Nearly 3000 miles were built in England and Wales, mostly connected to each other, and a substantial part of this historic heritage remains, for all to enjoy. Most of the system is now managed by the charity Canal & River Trust.
"The 'narrow boat', about 7' wide by 70' long, was the major form of transport on most canals. Narrow boats typically carried up to 20-25 tons of cargo. Originally horse or mule drawn, and occasionally still so until the 1970s, steam and later diesel engined motor boats ('motors') started to take over just over a hundred years ago, some towing an unpowered boat (a 'butty').
"Here at Audlem we have nearly 50 narrow boats, dating from the 1880s to 1959. Some are restored to their original carrying condition, but others are converted with cabins for living or holidaying on."
They are all fascinating – and you can read about them all by clicking on the PDF link below the photos – but these particularly caught our attention:
Elizabeth: 1880s
Built as a horse drawn day boat. Later operated by Robert Teal Gravel Company. Now 61' 9" long. Engine: Gardner 2LW. Converted to a sailing cruising boat in 1936, and is probably the oldest working boat conversion.
Marquis: 1898
Built as a steamer; Bolinder semi-diesel engine fitted 1925. Now 54' long. Operated also by J Holloway of Oldbury, and W J Hayward of Tipton. Engine: Lister FR3M (1957). Named Sally from 1942, then Calypso until 1974.
Saturn: 1906
A regular visitor and an old favourite from the Shropshire Union Fly-Boat Restoration Society. A Wooden boat operated as a horse drawn fly boat until 1920s, then by LMS Railway from 1923, and British Waterways from 1948; still horse drawn until 1950s. Later an hotel boat, temporarily motorised and paired with Jupiter. Restored in 2002; the only fly boat in near original condition.
Viceroy: 1909
Built as a steamer; diesel engine fitted in 1920s. Operated also by Ernie Thomas (1940s). Engine: Lister HB2.
Victory: 1911
Built as a steamer; diesel engine fitted 1927. Now 52' 6" long. Riveted iron construction with a wooden bottom. Also operated by Yates Bros (as Pacific). Engine: Lister CE2 16HP.
Lynx: 1913
Operated also by British Waterways and Midland Canal Transport; currently South Midland Water Transport. Engine: Lister JP2M.
Plover: 1914
The centenarian, and operated also by British Waterways (known as Parrot 1952-1969). Engine: Lister JP3. Riveted iron construction; originally with a wooden bottom, but more recently steel.
Ian: 1947
The last wooden motor boat ever built. Constructed at the former Nurser's yard in Braunston. Later operated by Blue Line for a short time, and cabin repainted by Ron Hough. Operated by the Whitlock family until 1970, mainly on Grand Union Canal. Engine: Lister JP2.
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