Coal boat sunk in 1940's being restored

A FORMER WORKING coal boat that sank after being abandoned is to be restored.

The 70ft narrowboat was hauled out of the Oxford Canal by Tooley's Boatyard at Banbury and is now in progress of being completely restored, Janet Friend reports.

Coal carrying

Named Hardy—that seems rather apt—it was built in the 40's and employed in coal carrying on the Oxford Canal

It was in 2018 that the boat was rescued from the bottom of the canal, but the pandemic covid halted progress on its restoration, but this has now began in earnest at the boatyard.

Surveyor and former Tooley's employee Darrell Broscomb, tells that it does need a lot of work, and believes it will be a ten years project to get it to its former glory.

Sunk after trade ceased

Many working boats were sunk after the canal coal trade ceased in the 60's and there are still many at the bottom of the canal, usually in the 'loops' that were taken out when the waterway was straightened.

Hardy was saved as its condition wasn't so bad and could be restored, with Tooley's employee, Jacob Beak, heading the project.