A sunny evening for my home canal the BCN in central Birmingham. The evening’s moored boats were assembled outside the National Indoor Arena and Brindley Place and round the corner from Gas Street Basin.

I came across a super boat and a broken trip boat. Derek Flinders and his lady from Long Eaton share nb Resolute with Graham Edgeson of the boat’s builders Norton Canes Boat Builders and a friend Dave Moore. Derek is a true canal enthusiast and a member of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association.

The boat is superbly kept both in external condition and interior decoration looking in from the rear. This is no 1073 on the Norton Canes Boat Builders Register. I was featured in the July 2006 edition of  Waterways World  magazine. It is powered by a 1942 Kelvin J3 engine.

While we were talking, a trip boat called for help the skipper saying he had lost the drive. Derek and I ran to the rescue, taking ropes to pull the boat into a mooring position. The passengers had only boarded the boat round the corner but no one seemed to be demanding their money back as they were evacuated.

Trip boat passengers being evacuated.
Trip boat in distress being hauled in by Derek.
The engine is magnificent with well polished brass.
From the rear the boat is very handsome, with traditional ware on view inside.
Spacious tug deck splendidly announces its status as something special.
View from Sheepcote Street Bridge towards the new Libary of Birmingham in the distance. NIA is on the left.