NARROWCRAFT LTD

The Marina, Robeys Lane,

Alvecote, Tamworth

B78 1AS 01827 898585

STAFFORD

Ex FMC Stafford minus the 1960’s conversion at Alvecote June 2007

At Alvecote alongside recently re-cabined JAGUAR

STAFFORD was built by Fellow Morton & Clayton at Saltley in 1898 as a horse boat and originally had a fore cabin. In 1938 Fellow Morton and Clayton were behind in Motor Boat production and decided to convert a number of older butty boats into motors. This work was done by Yarwood of Northwich and Stafford re-appeared as a motor with a 9hp Bolinder. The boat worked in the North East until it was sold by FMC’s successor BWB and was converted into a house boat in the early sixties and spent 25 years at the top of Tardebigge. Malcolm Burge bought it in 1992 for renovation and inclusion into the Captain Cargo fleet. Captain Cargo became South Midland Water Transport and still Stafford was not renovated. It lay at Charity Dock until recently. The boat is currently on its way to our yard in Gdansk where it will be renovated with traditional back cabin and engine room and luxury accommodation in the fore end. We expect it to be the first Josher to explore the Polish Incline Planes next Spring.

During its renovation we shall be building a replica which will be the first of our new Stafford class of Narrowboats.

Loading on Transport to our factory 8^th June 2007

Being unloaded at our factory on June 14^th. 2007

Bracing sides July 2^nd.

After the rain started work again bracing knees.

Priming after shot blasting 26^th July 2007

Being moved inside for steelwork 28^th July

BUT many orders so put in storage until Dec 10^th.

The picture below is live from factory

http://www.narrowboatsalesltd.co.uk/cams/4.jpg

Now current live picture as back in Factory 10^th December 2007