Diamond (narrowboat) facts for kids

The Diamond is a historic canal boat built in 1927. It was designed to carry goods long distances on canals, especially between the Black Country and the ports near Liverpool. Today, you can see this important boat at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.

The Story of the Diamond Boat

The boat known as Diamond was built by a company called John Crichton & Co. in Chester, England. It was made for the Midland and Coast Canal Carrying Company, which was based in Wolverhampton. Diamond was one of six special iron boats in their fleet. These boats had two cabins, which was unusual, and were used for long trips carrying goods.

Early Life and Purpose

Diamond was built in 1927 and officially registered in Wolverhampton in 1928. Its main job was to transport goods between the industrial area known as the Black Country and the busy ports on the Mersey Estuary, near Liverpool. This was a very important route for trade at the time.

Changes and New Names

During World War II, in 1944, Diamond was damaged during an air raid in Birmingham. After this, it was sold for scrap to a person named Ernest Thomas. The company that owned it then, Fellows, Morton & Clayton, had taken over the original owners.

However, the story didn't end there! The boat was rebuilt and given a new name: Henry. As Henry, it continued to carry coal until the 1960s. Then, it was sold again to 'Caggy' Stevens of Oldbury, who renamed it Susan.

Diamond Today

Today, the historic boat is owned by the Black Country Living Museum. It is kept at the museum in Dudley, where visitors can see it docked in the Lord Ward's Canal Arm. The Diamond is also listed on the National Historic Ships register, which means it's recognized as an important part of Britain's maritime history.