workboat

Thanks for clicking the QR code. Welcome to the page about our work-boat Louise

Over the Christmas 2019 and New Year period BCS volunteers helped move Work Boat Louise from Brentford to Cosgrove. We  hired a tug which we took down to Brentford before Christmas, and the return journey, pushing Louise, began on Boxing day. The journey was completed in the first few days of January 2020.

The work boat was donated to use by River and Canal Services for use by us and she will also be available for other canal groups. It will be very useful for helping with tree clearance on the offside of canals and the on-board crane can be used for moving materials or dredging. She has also been used to remove the dam by bridge 1 ready to re-open the section of the arm at Cosgrove towards the A5.

A short video of the sights and sounds as we pass through Rickmansworth.

Equipment

Fitted with a Hiab 085DL crane and hydraulic power pack, loads of up to 6 tonnes can be handled 

Purpose

BCS acquired the boat and crane to enable offside vegetation and dredging to be undertaken as part of the restoration work for the Buckingham arm of the Grand Union Canal. It also enables waterside access for piling and similar engineering activities along with  inspecting structures etc.

History

Originally constructed as a “Beet Barge” in the 1920’s to carry sugar beet from the Fens, LOUISE is an Iron hull with a concrete deck.

Built as a beet carrier in the 1920’s, the barge was converted to a work boat in the 1990’s by the National Trust. She was then acquired by River and Canal Services of Guildford. 

We would love to know more if you have any info to share !