RN Diesel Engine Co. Ltd.

RN Diesel Engine Co. Ltd.

Grand Union Boats

As described in part 1 of our company history, the assocation between the English Canals and Russell Newbery started in 1934 with the supply of marine version of the "D2" engine to the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company Limited (GUCCCL). Between November 1934 and March 1937 a total of 38 motor narrowboats powered by Russell Newbery "DM2" engines were delivered to the canal carrying company. The remaining 141 motor boats of the Star and Town classes were fitted with the very similar "2DM" engine made by the National Oil Engine Company at Ashton under Lyme.

Here we list the 38 boats which were delivered with RN engines. It is known that engine swaps took place when boats were docked for repairs or maintenance.

  • Fleet number. The GUCCCL introduced boat numbers around the time of the delivery of the last of the Star class in 1936. This was to assist in boat movement control. The Star class and other existant motor boats were numbered 1 to 100 in alphabetical order, this does not match the order in which the boats were delivered. Town class motor boats were allocated numbers 101 to 186, again with names in alphabetical order. However, with the Town class, three blocks of numbers and names in sequence were allocated. These corresponded to the three sets of orders, 24 steel pairs from Harland and Wolff, 24 steel motors only from Harland and Wolff, 38 steel motors from Yarwoods. Butty boats originally carried the same number as their paired motor, followed by the letter "B". Thus Altair was 66B. During 1937 all the butty boats were renumbered between 201 and 387 in alpahbetical order. This may have been due to the fact that the boat pairings had changed during dockings for maintenance. Also the last two batches of Town class boats were not ordered as pairs. The GUCCCL orderd 62 wooden butty boats to work with the 24 steel motors from Harland and Wolff (125 to 148) and the 38 steel motors from Yarwoods (149 to 186). Delivery of the butty and the motor often took place a couple of months apart. In fact, it is probably that apart from the prototype Star class pairs and a few of the standard Star class pairs, very few of these intended pairings actually took place.
  • Original butty. As noted above, this is the intended butty boat pairing.
  • Registered. All canal boats in the United Kingdom had to be registered with a local authority if they were used for living accomodation.
  • GUC Gauge No. Before licenses were issued for canal boats, each boat paid a toll for each mile of canal travelled, the toll amount varied according to the cargo carried and the amount (tonnage) carried. To determine the tonnage carried all boats were gauged by one (or more) of the canal companies. Gauging was a process to record the amount of freeboard, a four points on the boat, for each ton carried. These dimensions were then recorded in a log book, copies of which were issued to all the toll collectors. The index to these entries was by the Gauge number - a system which avoided the non-uniqueness of boat names. Almost all the GUCCCL boats were gauged by the Grand Union Canal, a few had Oxford canal gauging.

    • Prototype Star class

    Ordered 1934

    Wooden boats built by Walkers, Rickmansworth

    Star class prototype, GUCCCL type code "C", nickname "Small Ricky"

    ArcturusFleet number 13
    Registered Rickmansworth 28, 20Nov1934
    GUC Gauge No. 12356
    Original butty Sirius (358)
    Delivered Oct1934
    Sold before January 1947. Carried number 12A to avoid boatman's superstitisions. Not recorded whether butty Sirius was originally numbered 12AB or 13B. Runs as trip boat from Cassio Wharf, Watford.
    NeptuneFleet number 66
    Registered Rickmansworth 30, 18Dec1934
    GUC Gauge No. 12381
    Original butty Altair (209)
    Delivered Dec1934
    Sold April 1943.
    AntaresFleet number 7
    Registered Rickmansworth 33, 19Mar1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12371
    Original butty Spica (361)
    Delivered Feb1935 (another source quotes 5Mar1935). Sold July 1942 to Talbot Garage Company, Kidderminster - renamed Antries. Later acquired by T and S Element, Oldbury. Sold to Robert Tudor circa 1955 - renamed The Albion. Robert Tudor's operation was based at Albion Bridge on the Wednesdbury Old Canal near Pudding Green Junction (BCN). Circa 1966 sold privately and converted to houseboat, reverted to original name. Was based in the London area for many years. Due to deteriorating condtion, the fore end was removed in 1998. Remains of the rest of the boat were observed sunk in the Oxford Canal near Duke's Lock in Oct2001.
    Waterways World February 2003 editon has a photograph of the boat when operating for Robert Tudor.
    The RN powered Antares around today is a modern replica tug built in 1989.

    Wooden boats built by E. G. Woods, Brentford

    Star class prototype, GUCCCL type code "C"

    JupiterFleet number 56
    Registered Brentford 487. 19Dec1934
    Original butty Mars (310)
    GUC Gauge No. 12362
    Delivered Nov1934 (Faulker states delivery as Dec1934)

    Iron and elm composite boats built by Harland and Wolff

    Star class prototype, GUCCCL type code "C", nickname "Small Woolwich"

    VenusFleet number 95
    Registered Tring 124, 1Jan1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12375
    Original butty Saturn (352)
    Delivered Dec1934. Restored to carrying condition Mar1991.
    Aldebaran Fleet number 3
    Registered Daventry 462, 19Feb1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12359
    Original butty Orion (322)
    Delivered Jan1935. Sold to Samuel Barlow May1943, renamed Anne and later Halifax to reflect the period of patriotism during World War 2.

    January 1935 order

    Wooden boats built by Walkers, Rickmansworth

    Star class, GUCCCL type code "D", nickname "Small Ricky"

    Castor Fleet number 24
    Registered Rickmansworth 36, 21May1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12520
    Original butty Pollux (335)
    Delivered Apr1935. Sold to L. B. Faulkner in 1947, then to S. E. Barlow and finally on to Samuel Barlow when they took over the S. E. barlow fleet in Feb1957.
    Aries Fleet number 14
    Registered Rickmansworth 40?, 16Jul1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12540
    Original butty Ariel (217)
    Delivered Jun1935.
    At Ellesmere Port Boat museum Jun1991.
    Oberon Fleet number 67
    Registered Rickmansworth 40?, 16Jul1935
    GUC Gauge No. None
    Original butty Octans (321)
    Delivered Jun1935. Sunk on River Weaver.
    Phoenix Fleet number 72
    Registered Rickmansworth 38, 18Jun1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12416
    Original butty Phoebe (330)
    Delivered Jun1935. Sold to S. E. Barlow, Dec1942.
    Umbriel Fleet number 94
    Registered Rickmansworth 44, 17Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12407
    Original butty Ursa (381)
    Delivered Aug1935. Sold to T and S Element for £660 in January 1942 renamed Duke of York. Observed on southern Oxford canal in 2000.
    Mimas Fleet number 62
    Registered Rickmansworth 46, 17Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12442
    Original butty Musca (316)
    Delivered Sep1935
    Sold to A. Wander (Ovaltine) between 1941 and 1943. To Willow Wren Jun1959 in service Jul1959 to 1963 under the name Egret.

    Iron and elm composite boats built by Yarwoods, Northwich

    Star class, GUCCCL type code "D", nickname "Small Northwich"

    Pisces Fleet number 73
    Registered Birmingham 1574, 20Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12454
    Original butty Puppis (339)
    Delivered May1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948. Observed at Braunston in Jul2000 having new cabin built for use as a trip boat.
    Clypeus Fleet number 28
    Registered Brentford 498, 24Jul1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12423
    Original butty Corvus (260)
    Delivered Jun1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948. Restored with part "under-cloth" conversion.
    Sagitta Fleet number 80
    Registered Brentford 526, 3Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12395
    Original butty Serpens (355)
    Delivered Jun1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Since circa 1990 has been operated by Staffordshire County Council.
    Eridanus Fleet number 42
    Registered Brentford 538, 25Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12452
    Original butty Leo (300)
    Delivered Jul1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Lacerta Fleet number 57
    Registered Brentford 520, 3Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12553
    Original butty Lepus (302)
    Delivered Jul1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Shortened to a 45 foot tug 1962 for use on Erewash Canal. Advertised for sale in Dec1992 edition of Waterways World. Observed at Stourbridge Oct2000.
    Enceladus Fleet number 41
    Registered Birmingham 1577, 20Sep1935 and Braunston 534, 25Sep1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12391
    Original butty Lyra (306)
    Delivered Aug1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948. Cut into two parts by BW. Front part became Water Valliant in the BW hire fleet. Later renamed Vallinat and based as trip boat at The Bratch on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Fate of back part unknown.
    Delphinus Fleet number 34
    Registered Birmingham 1578, 13Oct1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12506
    Original butty Draco (271)
    Delivered Sep1935. Sold to Talbot Garage Company, Kidderminster (probably in 1942). Later to T and S Element, Oldbury - renamed Prince Charles. Cut down to 50 foot at some time.
    Bellatrix Fleet number 19
    Never Registered
    GUC Gauge No. 12429
    Original butty Lynx (305)
    Delivered Oct1935
    Never entered carrying service with GUCCCL. Sold to Wulfruna Coal Co. (Wolverhampton) in 1936. In 1966 was run as a trip boat at Kinver by Midland Navigation. By Sep1990 restored to carrying condition, privately owned, based at Greensforge on the Stafforshire and Worcsestershire Canal.
    Libra Fleet number 58
    Registered Brentford 548, 9Nov1935
    GUC Gauge No. 12425
    Original butty Carina (249)
    Delivered Oct1935. Never part of BW (SE) Carrying fleet, but was operated by Willow Wren as Warbler. Last observed part converted, based at Amington on the Coventry canal. Now has a Bolinder 1052 engine.
    Scorpio Fleet number 81
    Registered Coventry 534, 31Dec1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12411
    Original butty Malus (307)
    Delivered Oct1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Observed as BW maintenance boat at Wightwick on Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal Dec1990. To the BW Historic Boat Collection in 2000, operated by the Friends of the Working Boats. Based at Bradley Workshops (BCN).
    Sculptor Fleet number 82
    Registered Birmingham 1584, 15May1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12499
    Original butty Toucan (377)
    Delivered Nov1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948. Became a maintenance boat on the Shropshire Union Canal in 1949. RN DM2 replace by Lister HA2 engine in 1960. Restored to wartime condition (except for the engine) as part of the National Waterwasys Museum collection circa 1988. This collection is now the Waterways Trust museum fleet.
    Antlia Fleet number 8
    Registered Birmingham 1592, 19Jun1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12463
    Original butty Lupus (304)
    Delivered Jan1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948. Cut into two at some stage. Two halves bought by present owner and welded back together to make 60 foot boat.

    May 1935 order

    Steel boats with Vee bottom, built by Yarwoods, Northwich

    Star class, GUCCCL type code "E", nickname "Middle Northwich"

    Radiant Fleet number 79
    Registered Birmingham 1591, 19Jun1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12482
    Original butty Regulus (343)
    Delivered Nov1935
    Loaned to London Fire Brigade during World War 2 for fire fighting duties based at Paddington Basin. To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948. Later transferred to maintenace fleet, final duties on Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in Sep1992. Engine room extended by 3 foot to house additional pumps. Lister HR3M engine fitted in 1972. Privately purchased in Sep1992, by the owner of Regulus. Usually to be seen at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. In 1999 it was still in "maintenance" condition in BW light blue livery.
    Sextanus Fleet number 83
    Never Registered
    GUC Gauge No. 12496
    Original butty Scales (353)
    Delivered Jan1936
    Sickle Fleet number 84
    Registered Rickmansworth 187, 21Sep1937
    GUC Gauge No. 12534
    Original butty Sarpedon (350)
    Delivered Mar1936
    Taygeta Fleet number 89
    Registered Birmingham 1587, 19Jun1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12482
    Original butty Triagulum (378)
    Delivered Nov1935
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Theophilus Fleet number 91
    Registered Birmingham 1598, 17Jul1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12606
    Original butty Thea (372)
    Delivered Apr1936
    Tucana Fleet number 92
    Registered Birmingham 1595, 19Jun1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12518
    Original butty Taurus (370)
    Delivered May1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Tycho Fleet number 93
    Registered Birmingham 1601, 18Dec1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12503
    Original butty Thoth (373)
    Delivered May1936. Converted to an ice breaker with ram on fore end, by Ministry of War (Transport) December 1942. To British Waterways maintenance fleet Jan1948. Petter PD3M engine fitted at Saltley in 1958, allocated to work in the Rugby area. Later sold to Alfred Matty of Coseley. Privately owned in BW blye/yellow livery since circa 1980, based southern Grand Union.
    Zodiac Fleet number 100
    Registered Rickmansworth 140, 16Mar1937
    GUC Gauge No. 12592
    Original butty Leonids (301)
    Delivered Jun1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948

    May 1936 order

    Steel boats, built by Yarwoods, Northwich

    Town class, GUCCCL type code "F", nickname "Large Northwich"

    Oakley Fleet number 159
    Registered Rickmansworth 98, 20Oct1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12631
    Original butty Oxted (324)
    Delivered Aug1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Paddington Fleet number 160
    Registered Rickmansworth 99, 20Oct1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12596
    Original butty Padbury (325)
    Delivered Sep1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Reading Fleet number 163
    Registered Rickmansworth 111, 15Dec1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12599
    Original butty Rawdon (342)
    Delivered Oct1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    To Willow Wren Feb1954 in service Jun1954 as Redshank.
    Renton Fleet number 164
    Registered Rickmansworth 118, 15Dec1936
    GUC Gauge No. 12633
    Original butty Roade (345)
    Delivered Oct1936
    Southall Fleet number 171
    Registered Rickmansworth 130, 19Jan1937
    GUC Gauge No. 12685
    Original butty Southam (360)
    Delivered Nov1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Stamford Fleet number 172
    Registered Rickmansworth 176, 20Jul1937
    GUC Gauge No. 12724
    Original butty Starcross (362)
    Delivered Nov1936
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948
    Observed in GUCCL red/blue livery with extended cabin at Warwick, Sep1991.

    And finally...

    A now famous "Large Northwich" steel motor from the May 1936 order for Town class boats has an Upminster built RN DM2 fitted.

    Tyseley Fleet number 183
    Registered Rickmansworth 149, 20Apr1937
    GUC Gauge No. 12741
    Original butty Tydd (379)
    Delivered Mar1937
    To British Waterways (SE) carrying fleet Jan1948.
    To Mikron Theatre from 1976.

    email the Webmaster if you are having any problems viewing the pages on this site.

    This page updated 31 January 2004.