Abandoned Narrowboat "Kjeldahl", has been moored just below Bluebell lock for some 8 weeks or more. A very unusual sight on this stretch of canal, even in this state it is still worth a lot of money, so hopefully it will be reclaimed and renovated.
@wakelyThe Canal Trust attend all the lock's each day, so the authorities will know it's there. I suppose there's a legal process to work through. Thanks for looking.
That's so sad! Such a unique home and way of life should not be left alone on the side of a canal. I hope the Canal Trust works something out for it. Good shot though- sad as it is.
Hi I came across this post as I was searching Google for my fathers old boat and this is it. Very sad to see it this way. My dad has this boat fitted out, maybe built, and he lived on it with his wife nearly 30 years ago. He was an engineer and used to hang out at the Black Country museum. His name was James Keith Grant. He died 25+ years ago and left his wife Annette this boat which they lived on. They had another working boat called polynomial.
@julianngrant HI, thank you for getting in touch, it's so nice to have your background to dear old boat. I haven't been up the towpath to Kilby Bridge on the Grand Union for a month or so, but last time I did Kjeldahl was still there. There is definitely signs that work is underway, but nothing moves that fast on the canals. I'm away at the moment, but on my return I will have a walk up to Kilby Bridge ( no problem as I live 20 metres from the canal towpath) with my camera and get a shot, hopefully there will some progress. There is a chance that Kjeldahl could have been moved further up the canal to be worked on under cover or lifted on to dry land. I've let this 365 project slip and you getting in touch has motivated me to at least follow up this boats story or maybe pick again and start posting again. Thanks again for getting in touch and I'll post what I see on 365. Bri..
@Bri Thank you so much for coming back to me and offering to go and see the boat again. I keep thinking about Kjeldahl and the state it is in the photos, which is a mystery I would love to try and find out. As I said this boat was left to my dads wife Annette Grant when he died 25 years ago. The last I knew she was living on it, but I never kept in touch with Annette. She and my dad got together when I was in my 20’s and I live in Kent so never really knew her that well. But it’s a worry never the less to know how Kjeldahl got this way. Annette would be in her 70’s now if she is still alive and so I assume she sold the boat years ago.
Hi Julian, I had a walk up the towpath to Kilby Bridge and a bit beyond this afternoon, unfortunately there was no sign of Kjeldahl and no Canal and River Trust personal at the wharf. Kjeldahl could easily still be in the area. My wanderings will take me upstream pass Kilby, where very often the lived-in boats will moor, as there are fewer restrictions on mooring so if I see the boat, I will let you know and if there are people aboard, I'll try and have a chat.
Bri..
Hi I came across this post as I was searching Google for my fathers old boat and this is it. Very sad to see it this way. My dad has this boat fitted out, maybe built, and he lived on it with his wife nearly 30 years ago. He was an engineer and used to hang out at the Black Country museum. His name was James Keith Grant. He died 25+ years ago and left his wife Annette this boat which they lived on. They had another working boat called polynomial.
Bri..