GETTING AWAY WITH IT
Canal Boat|July 2020
Part two of Tom Kitching’s affectionate look at Spey’s history
GETTING AWAY WITH IT

In the late 1930s, a new trade was established for Thomas Clayton of Oldbury, transporting heavy oils from Stanlow to the Black Country. Between 1937 and 1939, 8 motorboats were built at Uxbridge, Spey and Stour being the first two, completed late 1937.

Few wooden boats were constructed this late, but with oils being such a light cargo, the bottom-heavy nature of the wooden hull gave better stability and was preferred by the crews. Decks had been added to the design some decades previously after Clayton’s tanker had overturned in the Thames with a full load. Spey was a mongrel from the start, made of mismatching knees from boats that had already seen a full life and been scrapped. A cheap build with a 20-year design expectation.

This trade continued until 1955 when Shell made alternative arrangements. During this era, Spey worked with butty Ohio, operated for much of this time by the Jinks family of whom Maureen, their first (adopted) daughter, became a friend towards the end of her life when she lived at Wardle Lock cottage in Middlewich.

She would tell us amazing stories of growing up on Spey before marrying onto another boat at 16.

“We always had to take the washing in as we approached Chester. My dad didn’t think those posh people should catch sight of our knickers.”

Now being operated by the Clowes family, Spey switched to local traffic, transporting gas tar, until that trade too declined. Clayton shrank until the compulsory purchase of their premises for the forthcoming M5 ended trade for good in 1966.

This story is from the July 2020 edition of Canal Boat.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2020 edition of Canal Boat.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CANAL BOATView All
HIGH AND MIGHTY
Canal Boat

HIGH AND MIGHTY

Acorns make the perfect store food for jays’ larders

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Canal Boat

TAKING THE PLUNGE

Why Chris and Sarah Atkin will never forget tying the knot

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
LABELLED WITH LOVE
Canal Boat

LABELLED WITH LOVE

Helen Tidy enjoyed one weekend moored next to The Beer Boat ... simply the perfect solution to collecting bottle tops for her next project

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
MIDDLE THAMES
Canal Boat

MIDDLE THAMES

In the second part of our guide, we follow the Thames upstream from Reading through the steep sided Goring Gap and quieter countryide to reach Oxford

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Canal Boat

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Robert Davies recalls childhood memories of a popular holiday destination and uncovers a reminder of the golden age of canals

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2020
FIT FOR PURPOSE
Canal Boat

FIT FOR PURPOSE

Terry Hibbard from Harworth Heating offers his expert opinion following our feature on onboard stove safety

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
BUCKING UP...
Canal Boat

BUCKING UP...

We join Waterway Recovery Group’s first canal restoration working party in six months - as WRG’s volunteers help the Buckingham Canal Society get the project back on track after lockdown

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
ART ON THE WATER
Canal Boat

ART ON THE WATER

Graphic artist Katie Ruby lives and works on 32ft narrowboat Poppy

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Canal Boat

GO WITH THE FLOW

What makes a boat truly stand out from the crowd? Sometimes you just need a little finesse and a taste for adventure

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Canal Boat

A GLASS HALF-FULL AT BUCKBY WHARF

Tim Coghlan raised a glass on the Grand Union Canal as The New Inn reopened to the relief of regulars

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020