Something Big

I would like to introduce you to Mr and Mrs Badger. 

They are not of my acquaintance although Moira (the artist) knows them well; being rather reserved, they tend to keep to themselves or their close cete.  It might seem an unusual arrangement for them to visit when we are not about but her friends are my friends and they are most welcome.  They so enjoy being on the river but according to Moira, after much deliberation, Mr and Mrs B – well, to cut a long story short, we came to the aforementioned understanding after they decided that they didn’t want to move from their sett after all.  They really did not need something that big.

Neither did the Captain and I.  But, as I’ve said, Cupid’s Arrow struck and that was that and here we are.

We had three criteria for our floating home:  to be large enough to entertain, have an engine and a sound hull.  The sound hull should have come first I suppose but we had planned so many future parties and seen a fabulous chandelier at around the same time Davenham came into our lives and…

Anyway, speaking of size, let me list Davenham’s vital statistics:

Length 30.70 metres 102ft 9”

Beam 7.93 metres 23ft

Carrying Capacity - variously recorded between 260- 285 tons

Gross Registered Tonnage 216.13

Nett Tonnage 123.33

A welded and riveted steel steam barge commissioned in 1944 for Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd,  Alkali Division  (we have been flying the flag all summer but it is a little frayed around the seams so needs the attention of a needle and thread).

Built in1946 by Yarwood and Sons, Northwich, Cheshire.

Official Number 181031.

Working life spent on the River Weaver in Cheshire, carrying soda ash:



Davenham's sister's, Weaverham (foreground) and (I think) Anderton (in the distance).



The spiral chute used for loading the cargo on the River Weaver.



Engine - Gardner 8 cylinder diesel, rating approx 180 hp,  instsalled in the 1970s.

Original engine - 2 cylinder compound marine steam engine also made by Yarwoods.  Weight 6 ¼ tons.

Now in the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum:

 A Stockless anchor.  According to the certificate from Lloyd’s Register of Shipping: “After the head had been dropped from a clear height of fifteen feet on to an iron slab, it was hammered, whilst suspended, and gave no indication of defects.”

Launched by a Mrs. W.M Inman

Davenham's first captain Alfred Boden – this little plaque in the wheelouse is dedicated to him:

First cargo 16th September 1946.

A typed note of the same date from someone illegible requests:

“Would you please arrange for the “Davenham” to be supplied with 4 towels and 1 tea cloth as soon as possible, as the vessel is leaving tonight.”

It is curious this idea of of ownership. 

Do we own Davenham?  We have the Bill  Of Sale saying we do.  But I think , looking at these photographs, reading through old documents, that in some sense, we are merely custodians; her guardians, her protectors.

And protect her we will.