J. H. Taylor & Sons facts for kids

J. H. Taylor & Sons was an English company. They were famous for building wooden boats. These boats were mostly made for canals. Their workshop was at Tower Wharf in Chester. This was on the Shropshire Union Canal.

Joseph Harry Taylor started the business. He began it with his son Wilfred in 1914. They first worked in the Dee Basin. The company was officially in Wilfred's name. This was because his father had financial difficulties. He was not allowed to start a new business in his own name.

The company built and fixed many types of boats. These included traditional Dee skiffs. They also made salmon fishing boats. They built passenger launches too. Other boats were narrow boats and tugs. Joseph Harry died in 1924. His sons continued the business. They ran it until 1970.

What J. H. Taylor & Sons Built

Today, J. H. Taylor boats are well-known. They are remembered for their pleasure boats. These boats were built for the waterways of the United Kingdom. The very first boat of this kind was ordered. It was for the Manchester Ship Canal Company.

How Their Boats Were Made

The boats were built in a special way. They had a "round bilge" style. This means the bottom of the boat was rounded. They used strong mahogany wood. This wood was placed over oak frames. The boats were 6 feet 11 inches wide. This size was important. It allowed the boats to fit through all canal locks. They could travel on canals in England and Wales.

These boats were not cheap to build. For example, a boat called 'Ottilie' was finished in 1957. Its final cost was £1924.12. This price included all parts and labor. Workers spent many hours building it. Skilled workers spent over 6000 hours. Apprentices spent over 450 hours.

Where to See Their Boats Today

Some of these special boats can still be seen. They are on the canals of the United Kingdom. One boat is kept at a museum. You can see it at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.