History Pages

Detailed Archive History

Richard Thomas, FoP's archivist has built up an extensive archive of not only FMC but other steamers history. Here we present some of that material.

President

Complete document in pdf format (147k ) pdf

Other Steamers

Other FMC Steamers

See also Richard Thomas's web site

The history of the narrow boat steamer

All information © 2005 - 2009 - Richard Thomas / used with permission


Additional History File
Year Date Event
1909   Built at Saltley. Fleet No 195. Cost £600
1909 23rd June Registered at Birmingham,C27 Registration Number 1212, as Fly boat carrying General Goods from London to Birmingham Captain James Woodfield.   [Registration Document]
1910 15th June Observed at Weedon with three crew bathing naked from the stern of her butty [Complaint sent to FMC]
1911 20th February Gauged for Grand Junction Canal Cert No 11682 [Gauging sheet]
1911 27th May Inspected at Braunston (capt J. Woodfield) with butty Buckingham (4 men)[Canal Inspection Journal]
1912    
1913    
1914    
1915 18th June Passed Brentford Toll (capt Griffiths) with 12.5" freeboard
1915 29th June Inspected at Berkhampstead with James [CIJ]
1915 8th August Passed Brentford Toll  GJ 11682 (capt Griffiths) with butty 11859 Unacarrying 10t 12c (20t 9c overall)
1916    
1917    
1918 November Boiler damaged by Charlie Court. Taken and repaired by J Wild of Oldham. Replaced by repaired boiler from Vulcan. (Dock book)
1919    
1920 30th July Passed Cowley bound for Birmingham with butty [Telegram from Mac Anderson (Southern Area Manager, FMC) to Milner (Manager GJC)]
1921   Painted [Note in CIJ]
1922 4th May Passed Brentford Toll GJ 11682 carrying 14t 11c with butty 11226 Twyford (25t)
1922 16th May Passed Brentford Toll GJ 11682 carrying 18t 11c Lyles sugar and hemp
1922 25th October Inspected at Braunston (capt F Woodward) (3 men) [CIJ]
  21st December Inspected at Braunston (capt F Woodward) (3 men) [CIJ]
1922 28th December Passed Brentford Toll GJ 11682 carrying 13t 12c
1923 2nd August Passed Brentford Toll GJ 11682 carrying 13t 4c
1923 19th December Passed Brentford Toll GJ 11682 carrying 14t 16c
1923 28th December Passed Brentford Toll GJ 11682 carrying 14t 18c
1924    
1925 May Converted at Saltley from steam to 15hp Bolinder for £287
1925 13th July Loaded with coal at Shipley (Notts) with Beatrice for Stoke Bruerne [Letter from FMC to Milner]
1926 10th August Passed Brentford Toll (by GJ 12008 Baron) with butty Beatrice  (24t 12c)
1926 25th August Passed Brentford Toll (by GJ 12008 Baron) with butty Beatrice (28t 11c)
1926 21st October Gauged by GJCC No 12148 [Gauging sheet]
1927 29th June Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) with butty Beatrice
1927 13th July Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) with butty Beatrice
1927 11th August Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t 18c with butty Beatrice (25t 2c)
1927 27th August  Inspected at Nottingham (capt T Simpson) [CIJ]
1927 31st August Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t 10c with butty Beatrice (26t 19c)
1927 23rd  September Inspected at Ilkeston (capt T Webb) with Beatrice [CIJ]
1927 8th October Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 22t 7c with butty Beatrice (25t 13c)
1927 22nd October Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t with butty Beatrice (25t 2c)
1927 5th November Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t 1c with butty Beatrice (25t 17c)
1927 22nd November Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 22t 6c with butty Beatrice (23t 13c)
1927 20th December Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 22t 12c with butty Beatrice (24t 7c)
1928 9th January Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 23t 18c with butty Beatrice (28t 4c)
1928 25th January Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t 18c with butty Beatrice (28t 5c)
1928 8th February Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 22t 4c with butty Beatrice (27t 14c)
1928 24th February Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t 18c with butty Beatrice (27t 5c)
1928 9th March Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 23t 17c with butty Beatrice (27t)
1928 23rd March Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t 11c nails with butty Beatrice (27t zinc)
1928 11th April Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t 18c with butty Beatrice (20t 19c)
1928 13th July Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 22t 19c with butty Beatrice (27t 11c)
1928 28th July Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 22t 8c with butty Beatrice (24t 16c)
1928 13th August Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 19t 10c Lyles sugar with butty Beatrice (27t 3c milk & spelter)
1928 30th August Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t 14c with butty Beatrice (24t 2c)
1928 14th September Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t with butty Beatrice (26t 13c)
1928 2nd October Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t 6c with butty Beatrice (27t 19c)
1928 18th October Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t 6c with butty Beatrice (25t 15c)
1928 6th November Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 20t 4c with butty Beatrice (22t 14c)
1928 10th November  Inspected at Nottingham (capt T Simpson) [CIJ]
1928 26th November Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 21t 19c with butty Beatrice (27t 14c)
1928 12th December Passed Brentford Toll (GJ 12148) carrying 19t 15c with butty Beatrice (25t 2c)
1929 July Painted [Note in CIJ]
1929 25th November Inspected at Nottingham (capt Tom Webb) with Beatrice (5 men 1 woman)[CIJ]
1930    
1931 19th January Inspected at Leicester (capt Tom Webb) with Beatrice (1 man 3 women) [CIJ]
1931 March Painted [Note in CIJ]
1931 8th November Inspected at Nottingham (capt T Whinn?) with Beatrice ( 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children[CIJ]
1931 18th December Inspected at Nottingham (capt T Webb) with Yiewsley(1 man 3 women) [CIJ]
1932 15th March Examined for re-registration as a motor [Exam report]
1932 15th April Re-registered at Birmingham No 1541 as Motor Boat (capt Thomas Webb) [Registration Document]
1933    
1934 February Painted [Note in CIJ]
1934 8th June Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) (2 men) [CIJ]
1934 19th July Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) (2 men) [CIJ]
1934 5th October Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) [CIJ]
1934 21st November Painted [Note in CIJ]
1934 21st November Gauged for BCN Register No 1832 (Gauging Table)
1935   with Beatrice from Norton Junction to Alperton with 50 tons of coal [A. Brown]
1935 7th January with Beatrice carried 50 tons of coal to Willesden (Electric Light) [Bob Bush]
1935 8th February Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (3 men) [CIJ]
1935 1st March Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1 man 3 women) [CIJ]
1935 11th March with Beatrice carried 48¾ tons of coal to Alperton (Key Glass) [Bob Bush] {Doc 2239]
1935 27th March with Beatrice carried 49 tons of coal to Willesden (Electric Light) [Bob Bush]
1935 31st July Inspected at Brentford (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (2 men) [CIJ]
1935 22nd October Inspected at Nottingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1 m 3 w) [CIJ]
1936 14th February Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1m 3w)[CIJ]
1936 21st March Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) (2m) [CIJ]
1936 1st May Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1 m 3 w) [CIJ]
1936 12th May Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1m 3w) [CIJ]
1936 7th November Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1m 3w) [CIJ]
1937 January Docked at Saltley for overhaul [FMC dock book]
1937 20th April with Beatrice from Griff Arm to Alperton with 49 tons of coal [A. Brown][Warwick Archives]
1937 26th April with Beatrice carried coal to Alperton (Key Glass) [Bob Bush] {Doc 1435]
1937 13th May Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Webb) with Beatrice (1m 3w) [CIJ]
1938 8th January Inspected at Leicester (capt T Boswell) with Penkridge(1m1w1c)[CIJ]
1938 28th July Inspected at Nottingham (capt Thomas Boswell) with Penkridge (1m, 1w, 1c) [CIJ]
1939    
1940 February Docked at Uxbridge for overhaul [FMC dock book]
1940 31st May Inspected at Nottingham (capt Thomas Boswell) withNatal (2m, 1w)[CIJ]
1941 21st January Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Boswell) with Keswick (1m1w1c)[CIJ]
1941 25th April Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Boswell) with Keswick (3m1w)[CIJ]
1941 21st May Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Boswell) with Keswick (3m1w)[CIJ]
1941 28th June Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Boswell) with Keswick (2m1w1c)[CIJ]
1941 7th August Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Boswell) with Keswick (2m1w1c) Caution issued: Bham 241 "Top and sides of cabin leaking"[CIJ]
1941 9th December Inspected at Nottingham (capt S. Higgins)  Nott 38  Booked for overcrowding under Sec 8a of the Canal Boat Regulations 1878 - 2 adults & 4 children [CIJ]
1942 8th January Inspected at Birmingham (capt T. Boswell) with Keswick (2m1w1c)[CIJ]
1942 17th January  Nottingham caution noted in Bham CIJ "Nott 38 overcrowding"
1942 20th January Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (1m) [CIJ]
1942 20th March Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (1m) [CIJ]
1942 13th May Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (1m1w 1c-girl 4y) Cautions issued: Bham 340 Certificate to be renewed; Bham 341 Dirty and requiring repainting [CIJ] 
1942 1st August Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (2m) [CIJ]
1942 25th August Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (2m) [CIJ]
1942 2nd October Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (2m) [CIJ]
1942 24th October Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (2m) [CIJ]
1942 21st November Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (1m1w1c girl 4y) [CIJ]
1942 28th  November Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (1m1w1c girl 4y) [CIJ]
1943 23rd January Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) with Roach (3m1w1c girl 4y) [CIJ]
1943 20th March Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) with Roach (3m1w1c girl 4y) [CIJ]
1943 April Docked at Saltley for overhaul [FMC dock book]
1943 1st May Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) with Roach (3m1w1c girl 4y) [CIJ]
1943 30th July Inspected at Birmingham (capt R Aston) (2m) [CIJ]
1944 4th May Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt Albert Aston) with Keswick (2m1w2c) Caution issued: Wv 13 Registration certificate in pieces; Boat leaks causing flooding; Abated 12.6.1944 [CIJ]
1944 23rd May  Wolverhampton caution noted in Bham CIJ :"Whptn 13 Leaks"
1944 21st July Inspected at Birmingham (capt A Ashton) with Keswick (2m2w1c boy 1m) [CIJ]
1944 31st July Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt Albert Aston) with Keswick (1m2w2c) [CIJ]
1944 21st August Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt Albert Aston) with Keswick (1m2w1c) [CIJ]
1944 29th September Inspected at Nottingham (capt A Ashton) with Keswick (1m, 1w, 2c)[CIJ]
1944 11th October Inspected at Birmingham (capt A Ashton) (1m1w) [CIJ]
1944 10th November Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt Albert Aston) with Keswick (2m1w2c) [CIJ]
1944 4th December with Keswick carried 44.3 tons of wheat (capt W Evans) from Ellesmere Port to Bloxwich [Bob Bush] (Docket 733)
1945 4th January Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) with Keswick (2m1w) [CIJ]
1945 8th January Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) with Keswick (1m2w) [CIJ]
1945 12th June Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) (2m) [CIJ]
1945 19th July Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) (2m) [CIJ]
1945 30th July Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) with Keswick (2m1w) [CIJ]
1945 2nd October Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) (2m) [CIJ]
1945 4th October Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt W Evans) (1m) [CIJ]
1945 29th October Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) (1m) [CIJ]
1945 15th November Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt W Evans) (1m) [CIJ]
1945 18th November Carried 17½ tons of tubes (capt W Evans) from Autherley to Ellesmere Port [Bob Bush]
1945 22nd November Left Ellesmere Port for Birmingham with 20 tons of Spelter (capt W Evans) [Load permit 107]
1945 6th December Inspected at Wolverhampton (capt W Evans) (1m) [CIJ]
1945 7th December Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) with Keswick (1m) [CIJ]
1946 27th May Inspected at Birmingham (capt W Evans) (1m) "reported to be sold today" [CIJ]
1946 June Sold to E Thomas [FMC dock book]
1947   Operated by George & Matthews (1924) Ltd Otherton to Stourport
1947 24th March Otherton to Stourport with 20 tons of coal (steerer Clegg) [Load permit 1734]
1947 31st March Otherton to Stourport with 20 tons of coal (steerer Clegg) [Load permit 1754]
1947 3rd April Otherton to Stourport with 20 tons of coal (steerer Clegg) [Load permit 1764]
1947 9th April Otherton to Stourport with 20 tons of coal (steerer Clegg) [Load permit 1777]
1947    
1948 1st September Regauged by BCN No 1832 for George & Matthews (1924) Ltd [Gauging sheet]  George & Matthews (1924) Ltd, 73, Bilston Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands
1949    
1950    
1951    
1951    
1951    
1952    
1953   Transferred to British Waterways as repayment of bad debt by George & Matthews. Extensively reconditioned at Gorton Yard, Ashton
1953 18th September Photographed outside Gorton dry dock being repainted by Mr Alf Smith and Mr J T Challinor
1954    
1955    
1956   Photographed at Beeston Iron Lock S.U.C. on maintenance work [Dated photograph AW 368, BW Archives]
1957    
1958    
1959    
1960    
1961 24th January Pulled sunken butty out of Harecastle Tunnel  [Waterways vol 6 no 53]
1962    
1963    
1964   Photographed on Macclesfield Canal carrying concrete pipes
1964   Photographed on Macclesfield Canal [ McDougall photo published in Oct 1983 WW]
1965    
1966    
1967    
1968    
1969    
1970    
1971    
1972    
1973   Lying in Hayhurst Yard, Northwich. Bought by Malcolm Braine at auction for £1513.60p (inc 10% VAT)
  November Towed to Norton Caines behind Birchills [Photo]
1974    
1975    
1976 July Restoration commenced [M.E. Braine]
  14th November Collected Engine from Laurie Nelson. Bought for £1150.  George Watkins (Univ of Bristol) identified engine as a "Rowhedge" [M.E.Braine]
  November Bought Leviathan lying on K&A,  extracted boiler, brought back to Norton Caines by 4 ton lorry, heavily overloaded. [M.E. Braine]
1977 January Sold Leviathan to Mr Round of Stratford on Avon for £850 [M.E.Braine]
  22nd March President Steamer Co formed [copy of certificate]
  25th June Wage outlay on restoration so far £579.00 [M.E. Braine]
1978 11th April First trial run to Pelsall Junction
  August Maiden Voyage to Titford Pools Rally
see JOURNEYS SINCE 1978 for details of visits

Last edited:- 06-Jun-2009