Canal Boat – July 2018

38 July 2018 Canal Boat canalboat.co.uk

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Silver Darling on the Grand Union

Six days later, John Rainnie found his 32ft

cruiser Silver Darling had sunk while

moored on the Grand Union Main Line.

“We’re not sure what caused it,” said RCR,

“but we believe it was due to snow blocking

the drainage holes. We pumped out all the

water and got the vessel refloated.” As is

typically the case with sunken vessels,

Silver Darling needed two new starter

batteries, engine ‘first aid’ (to prevent

internal rusting and corrosion of any other

components that may have been

submerged), a starter motor, two alternators

and fuel cleaning / replacement.

Saxon Princess on the

Grand Union

On 6 March, Darren Rushby, owner of 57ft

narrowboat Saxon Princess, moored on the

Grand Union Main Line, reported water had

reached his boat’s gunwales. Stephanie

Horton reports: “The boat showed no visible

signs of leaks or damage and the bilge pump

was connected and operational. The battery

however, may have failed and this coupled

with heavy snow and rainfall, we believe, was

the reason for the sinking.”

Eric the Rat on the Nene

Two days later, heavy rainfall caused 33ft

cruiser Eric the Rat to sink while moored at

Billing Aquadrome, Northampton. Owner

Richard Dennehy explains: “The boat sank

due to heavy rainfall. Because of the boat’s

size and location, this was not a simple

re-float and five of RCR’s team were deployed

for this one. The boat was refloated and a

battery and bilge pump were fitted.”

Angilika on the Regent’s

On 9 March, Michal Dufek reported his 28ft

narrowboat Angilika, moored at St Pancras on

the Regent’s Canal, had sunk. He advises:

“I’m sure it was to do with the plumbing, I

believe one of the pipes froze and then

snapped. My bilge pump wasn’t working.

When it thawed, water started pouring in.”

Stephanie Horton concludes: “Incidents occur

because people underestimate the weight

they are carrying and they fail to appreciate

there’s only a couple of inches between the

outlet and the water surface. It’s really

important to regularly check your boat and

that the bilge pump is working, and clear

away any snow.”

RCR engineers working to raise the cruiser

Eric the Rat on the River Nene

RCR’s pumps get to work on re-floating Angilika

The result of a combination of a failed battery, heavy snow and rainfall

Narrowboat Saxon Princess is successfully

refloated on the Grand Union Canal

THE BEAST