PRINCE REGENT
This image is almost certainly
Prince Regent’s sister tug BUFFALO
(b) (q.v.)
(Steam
on Canals, C P Weaver)
Craft
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Fleet No
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Built at
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Hull
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Cost
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Type
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PRINCE
REGENT
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STEAM TUG
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Owners
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Address
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Source for
|
First Date
|
|
Gardner Locket &
Hinton Ltd
Charrington Gardner
Locket & Co Ltd
|
Commercial Wharf
Mile End E & 3 Fenchurch
Ave E.C
Moved to 13 Fenchurch Avenue
16 Mark Lane, London,
EC 3
|
PoL Index Fol 9
|
26.3.1907
27.11.1919
16.11.1922
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Steamer Registrations
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Owner
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Place
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PH No
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As
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Date Inspected
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Date Registered
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Steamer Gaugings
|
|
Owner
|
Place
|
Gauging Number
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Notes
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Date
|
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Gardner Locket & Hinton Ltd
|
PoL
|
219
|
|
26.3.1907
|
Boiler
|
|
|
Engine
|
|
|
Steamer
History
|
Docked (Millner
Letter)
|
20.4.1920
|
Fate
|
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Date
|
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RE: The Movietone story 1196/2 'English Canalways To Be
Transformed', and PRINCE REGENT/BUFFALO.
The Location.
The image which appears in the Weaver's 'Steam on Canals' is indeed the same
vessel in the same location on the Regent's Canal at Kensal Green approaching
the former Gas Works basin (recently filled in) with coal barges in tow. This
'still', would 'appear' to have been
shot from the bridge carrying the towpath over the entrance to the Gas Works
basin. Behind the tug is a rather murky atmosphere through which no bridge
across the canal can be seen, though there is a definite outline of a large
building beyond. Slightly to the right of that, and directly above the second
tow, is seen another building outline which still stands today, and is seen HERE.
(Left click on the streetview and hold down, then drag right and left to view
right and left).
The film clip shows the same tug, same steerer with trilby, same woman (most
likely) in the fore hatches with her arm now down, and probably the same tow.
(Three long blasts on the hooter may have been to announce arrival to those
supervising unloading). However, the location 'seems' to be a little different
from the 'still'. The camera angle is from a slightly lower level and there is
a raised section of towpath immediately outside what is now the Canal Activity
Centre with extant dock beneath from which this could have been filmed. There
is clearly a bridge in the background and beyond is seen what could be a
chimney - but no outline of a large building as seen in the still. This location
I feel is surely in the same spot between the Gas Works and Ladbroke Grove, but
the surroundings look a little deceiving. If this were further back towards the
Harrow Road
bridge the curve of the cut and the adjacent buildings rule out most everywhere
- except by the Gas Works - yet Ladbroke Grove bridge is not seen in the still.
However, that it is Ladbroke Grove bridge in the film clip is certain,
as the Kensal
Green Cemetery building (a Chapel maybe) still stands and is visible on the
left, set at an angle. The ramp leading down is still there, and if you
backtrack to the previous sequence of the towed barges without tug, you will be
able to make out the towpath and pipe bridge that takes both over the entrance
to Marylebone Dock just beyond the bridgehole on the right. So I'll plump for
both the still, and the film clip being taken from close by the Gas Works, and
the amount of smoke and general filth in the air (perhaps some developing
adjustment also) has created more of a puzzle with certain buildings
'disappearing'.
The tug name. From the still it is impossible to see any name other than
CHARRINGTON GARDNER LOCKET Co. But from the clip, not only do we see that, but
more - albeit very fuzzy. There are a string of letters between the two
side hatches (Bushell's BUFFALO
had one set and a longer foredeck), and behind the engineer peering out
is a name. Repeated viewings show it likely to be BUFFALO,
but this is not the BUFFALO
that appears outside Bushell's yard at New Mill - different boat unless
drastically changed. Look carefully at what appears to be the name 'BUFFALO', is there a
possibility that above and below those letters there have been previous words?
Their length might also lead one to think they may have been the same length as
the words PRINCE REGENT, rubbed out and replaced with the single name - BUFFALO. Did PRINCE REGENT
get renamed? But perhaps that may be stretching it a bit!
Bridges.
The only bridges that carry roads across the canal between Kensal Green Gas
Works and Paddington Stop, carry; Ladbroke Grove; Great Western Road; and
Harrow Road. There are three footbridges; Marylebone Dock; 'Halfpenny'
(gone, but replaced with another); and the one by Blomfield Road. Harrow Road bridge is comparatively
small, has brick abutments with a slightly curved cast iron side plates, and Great Western Road
has a riveted Victorian span but a clearly long curved arch beneath. Ladbroke
Grove is the most likely contender, and of which I have no visual image other
than that available from Google Maps in local
photographs.
This shows the PRIDE OF SLOUGH (if you have visited Slough
this vessel may seem appropriate) but more notably, the ramp and balustrade,
along with an indication of a flat span, though nowadays topped with railings
above the side plates. This, along with the cemetery building seat at 45° to
the bridge, confirms to me the location of the film strip. The elevated point
of view would be from that raised section in front of what is now the 'Canal
Activity Centre'. This
whole area was all gas Works - the 'Western Gas Works' according to my 1951
Greater London Atlas. No rail connection seemed to have existed for coal
delivery despite being right next door to the GWR. Coal came by boat, tipped
from the coal sidings at Marylebone (also long gone).
Derek Reynolds.