25.4.1900 101. (Sub committee minutes in RAIL 830/31) reads: Read letter of the 25th inst from the Engineer stating that the Iron Hull of the tug Hasty was very defective and past repair and advising that a new one be built in oak to receive the present machinery….Resolved that the recommendation be adopted and a contract placed for a cost about £220.
9.5.1900 19. Report from the sub committee dated 25.4.1900 stating that the engineer had reported that the iron hull of the Tunnel Tug Hasty was very defective and advised that a new one be built of oak to receive the present machinery. Given instructions for a contract to be accepted for the same at a cost of about £220….Approved
12.10.1900 122. (Sub committee minutes in RAIL 830/31) That daily information be given to FMC by post as to the time their steamers pass Buckby Toll Office and that they are also informed by wire in the morning of any steamers that have passed during the night. Such information being supplied by the passes.
14.11.1900 59. Report of the 12th ulto from the Sub Committee considering an application from FMC with respect to steps taken to expedite their steamer traffic…..Approved
24.6.1903 237. (Sub committee minutes in RAIL 830/31) FMC request permission to pass steamers over the Tring Summit at night. ….Refused due to the extra lock keepers needed to prevent waste of water.
8.7.1903 262. Report of 15.6.1903 that on 30.5.1903 a girl nearly suffocated on a FMC boat in Blisworth Tunnel due to atmospheric causes.
PRO RAIL 830/27
8.4.1908 269. The engineer having reported that a new
timber hull for this tug was necessary, the present steel hull being past
repair, Messrs Costins tender to provide same for £200 was accepted
8.7.1908 296. Approved the purchase of the steam launch Dragonfly from Mr Tonman Mosley for the sum of £150, it being understood that the boiler could be utilized in connection with the Company’s launch Swift and the engine for one of the steam tugs
PRO RAIL 830/28
11.5.1910 54. The purchase of a vertical water tube boiler from Messrs Merryweather for £120 placed on the hull of the launch Dragonfly for the purpose of driving a pump for use in connection with the repairs of Blisworth Tunnel.
PRO RAIL 830/33
11.1.1911 32. The Chairman stated that Fellows Morton & Clayton were understood (to be) proposing to use wide boats both mechanically propelled and horse hauled between Braunston and London and that they had been informed that serious inconvenience would be caused to traffic generally if such boats were allowed to work, especially at the Blisworth and Braunston Tunnels, and that such boats cannot be permitted to navigate north of Stoke Locks
25.2.1914 47. On the recommendation of the Engineer, the Company accepted the tender of Messrs Davey, Paxman & Co Ltd for a new boiler for the tug Spider at a cost of £159 less 2½% discount for cash.
25.2.1920 310. The tugs are not paying their way. Increase charges for empty barges from 1/- to 1/6 and for loaded barges from 2/6 to 3/- from the 1st April 1920
PRO RAIL 830/30
10.3.1920 161. Blisworth and Braunston Tunnels. Charges increased from 1/- to 1/6 for empty boats and 1/6 to 3/- for loaded boats from 1st April 1920.
PRO RAIL 830/33
28.7.1920 332. The tugs are not paying their way. Increase charges for empty barges from 1/6 to 2/6 and for loaded barges from 3/- to 4/- from the 1st September 1920
PRO RAIL 830/30
11.8.1920 206. Blisworth and Braunston Tunnels. Charges increased from 1/6 to 2/6 for empty boats and 3/- to 4/- for loaded boats from 1st September 1920.
PRO RAIL 830/34
22.3.1921 21. The Chairman reported that a loss of about £20 per month was being incurred in connection with the working of the Blisworth and Braunston Tunnel Tugs and steps be taken as early as possible to reduce expenditure or increase charges so as to put the running of the tugs on a paying basis.
PRO RAIL 830/30
3.4.1921 265. Blisworth Tunnel. Charges were increased from 2/6 to 3/- for empty boats and 4/- to 5/- for loaded boats from 1st September 1920.
9.8.1922 376. Blisworth Tunnel. Charges reduced to pre 1.9.1920 levels.
PRO RAIL 830/34
27.9.1922 70. The Chairman reported that the hull of the steam tug Hasty was past repair and as the work was urgent he had authorised the engineer to instruct Messrs Bushell Bros of Tring to build a new boat at an estimated cost of £420. Approved
PRO RAIL 830/30
11.10 1922 382. A new hull has been ordered to be built for this tug, the present hull being past repair and the work entrusted to Messrs Bushell Bros of Tring at an estimated cost of £420.
10.1.1923 411. Placing of order for a new tug referred to Sub Committee.
PRO RAIL 830/34
24.1.1923 83. Read report of 1st inst from the Engineer and recommended for the reasons set out in his report. The building of a new Tunnel Tug complete, the cost being estimated at £1065 as follows:
Hull – keel bottom Messrs Bushell Bros , Tring £500.
Boiler Messrs Davey Paxman & Co £255
Engine with thrust bearing prop shaft Messrs Beasley, Uxbridge £210
Canal Co work £100 £1065
Resolved that the Select Committee be recommended to sanction the proposed expenditure as two of the tugs now at work in the tunnels are very old and cannot be expected to last much longer.
14.2.1923 4. In accordance with the instructions of the board the report from the Engineer in Minute 83 is being considered for Select Committee sanction
11.4.1923 24. The Chairman (Rodolf Fane deSalis, Esq.) reports that Mr Henry R deSalis, a director of F.M.C., had rendered services to the engineer in advising him as to the most suitable engine to be put into the new tug which the Company are now building….resolved that the thanks of the committee be expressed to Mr deSalis and he be assured that such services were much appreciated.
PRO RAIL 830/34
30.9.1925 206. Read a report dated 14th inst from the Company’s Engineer with a comparative statement of the working of the old and new tugs through Blisworth Tunnel for the first 8 months of 1924 / 1925 shewing an appreciable saving in fuel and recommending that both engine and boiler in the older tugs should be treated in the same way, as and when opportunity occurs. The cost of the replacement in each case being £600 for the engine and boiler with about £100 for departmental work, assuming the hulls are in good order. …Resolved that the Select Committee be recommended to adopt the Engineer’s suggestion.
14.10 1925 265. The Select Committee now recommend adoption of Minute 206
12.1.1927 390. Read a report from the engineer stating that before the Steam Launch Swift can be used again, it will be necessary to carry out repairs to the boiler to the extent of about £60 and recommending that in view of the age of the boiler, the substitution of a crude oil engine for the existing engine and boiler….Resolved that the recommendation be adopted, it being understood that the cost of the new plant and installation would be about £190.
8.2.1928 112. Tug Spider. A report dated 14th inst has been received from the engineer stating that the hull of the tug Spider is not worth repairing and a new one should be obtained as soon as possible; also that it would be advisable at the same time to take out the old high speed engine and locomotive boiler and replace them by a modern compound condensing engine and marine boiler on the lines which have proved so economical in the cases of the tugs deSalis and Hasty. Particulars of the comparative cost being submitted, it was decided to report the matter to the Traffic Committee, the subcommittee being of the opinion that if a new tug is provided, consent of the RegentsCanal Co. should be obtained with a view to the amount expended (£1333) being charged to the Capital account and repaid to the Grand Junction under Article 11 of the proposed agreement
14.3.1928 121. The Spider. The engineer has submitted tenders for this new tug authorised by the Select Committee at their last meeting and the following have been accepted
Bushell Bros Hull £410
Beasley & Sons Engine £325
Abbotts & Co Ltd Newark Boiler £296
10.10.1928 188. Letter from the engineer stating that the launch Swift was now in dock at Bulbourne and had been thoroughly stripped and scraped; also that many of the plates were full of holes and in his opinion the launch was not worth repairing. …resolved that no further repairs be carried out but the engineer be instructed not to break up the boat for the present as the Grand Union Canal Co were considering the construction of a new launch on the lines of Swift and may wish to take certain particulars before the craft is broken up.
1877 Mr Stephenson Putting new iron guards on boat Hasty, repairing covers , etc., £6.6.2
27.4.1878 Mr W Stephenson Repairing steam tug Spider £6.2.6
5. 1878 W Stephenson Repairing steam tug Pilot £6.18.6
5.10.1878 R Leah Repairing steam tug Pilot £3.16.6
12.10.1878 R Leah Repairing steam tug Spider £2.14.0
19.10.1878 R Leah Repairing steam tug Spider £2.14.0
26.10.1878 R Leah Repairing steam tug Spider £2.14.0
1878 Ruston Proctor & Co New boiler for Spider £125.0.0
1878 Fittings for Spider £7.0.0
8.1.1879 W Nurser Repairing steam tug Badger £1.15.2
8.1.1879 W Nurser Repairs to Badger £1.15.2
30.1.1879 W Nurser Repairs to Hasty £6.17.0
21.7.1879 J Bushell Painting to Spider £2.3.6
21.11.1879 Ruston Proctor & Co New boiler and fittings for Pilot £132.5.0
27.7.1879 J Bushell Painting Pilot £2.7.6
8.3.1880 W Nurser Repairs to tunnel tug Hasty £0.13.0
26.4.1880 R Peasland Hauling Spider from Tring to Marsworth £0.2.6
6.5.1880 J Bushell Painting name on Spider £0.5.0
19.7.1880 W Nurser Engine cloths for Hasty £1.2.6
1.11.1880 J I Osborne Oil for Hasty £9.10.6
21.6.1881 W Nurser Repairs to tugs £8.17.2
21.6.1881 S Cowley Repairs to tugs £0.10.6
24.3.1882 W Nurser Repairs to Hasty & Pilot £15.5.0
2.9.1884 W Nurser Repairs to tug Hasty £1.11.6
27.5.1885 W Nurser Repairs to tug Hasty £8.4.6
6.1885 W Beasley Cleaning boiler tubes tug Pilot £3.0.0
6.4.1889 W Nurser Repairs to tug Hasty £17.2.6
16.8.1890 W Nurser Repairs to tug Hasty £16.9.6
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