Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

To be able to take the covers off and know that that the rain will stay away makes for a day of good progress.

Out in the barn, No.5's cabin ended the day with all the rotten metal replaced around the lower quarters.  The newly stitched in metal will require filling before paint is applied.  There remains the two doors to attend to on Wednesday and some remedial work to the roof.  

To be able to restore the cab has taken some time to achieve, but more importantly, cost considerably less that finding and purchasing an alternative.  At leas we know that it will fit.

Out in the yard, we unbolted the engine for a period to allow us to finally install the two fuel tanks.  They are now clean inside, piped up and ready to accept fuel.

We also took the decision to reinstate the two high pressure hydraulic oil filters.  They were taken to the workshop, stripped and cleaned before affixing in their original locations down in the hold.

Later in the day, our attention turned to the flooring in the engine room.  The basic 'landing stage' deck has now been cut, we just need to add supports to certain areas around the edges.  This will give us a clean and very grippy floor area with some of the services routed underneath. 

Late last week, John & Gill managed to apply yellow paint to about half the main boom, this work will continue soon, weather permitting.

A good days work by all.  Thank's guys.

Patricia’s Left Hand

by: Bob H.

Today saw a change in Patricia’s disposition!
After suffering an annoying hydraulic leak last week, (fixed by Andrew R and his team) we set out today to get closer to Ryeford Lock - but on the other (towpath) side. 

With a very able and careful Tug team (Dave Pash. in charge) the empty hopper was beautifully placed in position and we began dredging to clear the landing stage. 

New recruit Harry H showed his experience on a 360 degree excavator to great effect and soon we were filling the hopper with the usual mix of bricks, silt, tree detritus and other lovely stuff.

By the day’s end, we could get Patricia alongside one end of the landing stage, a great step forward - especially since we were loading “Left handed!”


“May all locks be in your favour.”  

The reconstruction of Weymoor Bridge over the T&S

by: Tim C.

Weymoor Bridge over the Thames and Severn Canal near Latton was demolished during the Great Depression in the 1930s under a job creation project sponsored by GCC.  This bridge provided access to Latton Basin on the North Wilts Canal which connected with the T&S close by the bridge. The North Wilts then connected to Swindon and the Wilts and Berks Canal.

The original bridge abutments were presumed lost until uncovered by our keen volunteers some ten or so years ago and work over the past five years has involved designing and rebuilding using the uncovered abutments with substantial input from the WRG.

Saturday 9^th March 2019 was a milestone in construction progress of this Eastern End project with the casting of the saddle over the arch using fibre reinforced concrete.  An excavator was used to deliver the 4m³ approx of concrete which was then positioned by volunteer effort. 

Much work remains to be done including the gabions and retaining embankment on the west side adjacent the River Churn (also over which the canal has to be carried), reconstruction of the approach roads, removal of the temporary causeway across the canal and restoration of the canal channel.

Ham Mill weds March 6th 2019

by: Andy P.

6 people today Bob, Duncan, Richard, Mathew, Julian and Andy.  First job was to empty the water filled trench then to start hand digging.  Sounds easy-it is not.  The evil sucking mud refuses to come out easily.  Lift to wall, then carry to bucket, then carry to wheel barrow, then wheel uphill to canal.  Repeat. Suck more water out.  Repeat.  Disc cutting bricks, hand chiselling bricks.  Repeat.

Duncan dam builder made another beautiful looking crossing nearer to where we are working and a pipe fitted to allow flow between the 2 pounds.  Bob designed and fitted a recyclable non return valve device as well. Very clever.

Leonie arrived with hand delivered King Ken donuts, whose birthday it was. Happy birthday Ken and really appreciated as heavy rain stopped play mid morning.  Can you have another birthday in a few weeks time?  Dave C and Steve C also visited to collect the trailer and fetch another pipe bend.  Please can we have the mini digger back on Monday as we miss it a lot. 

A 6 m pipe was carried down to the now ready trench. Sounds easy on paper. It was lubed up and put, push, pulled, twisted, squeezed into place. The BD, now working well after mechanic Bob got it going after its lunch break, trundled back across the canal for the final push. Ok let’s put a collar on as well. Repeat.

At the end of one of our most difficult days we are 1 pipe length from the end. Thought it would be easy when we reached the bottom.  How badly wrong can you be?  So vote of the day.  Bob with the best lightly splattered face, Richard with the most splattered face, Duncan the cleanest and Julian (not in photo) for the longest trench time.  Good job we can still smile.

Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

Rain interrupted play today, difficult to get much done out in the yard.  At least there was plenty to do in and around the shed.

The frame is now complete at the base of the cabin.  All the metal repair panels have been cut ready to stitch in.  The joints will require filling before painting.  We now have all the paint in stock to complete No.5.

A new fuel filler pipe has been fabricated.  By cunning squashing one end of a round pipe to a rough rounded rectangle and then angling the base has produce a strong assembly which can easily be reached when refuelling.  The tank has had all the 44 lid bolts fastened and now has to be returned to the boat.  It is going to be necessary to shift the engine slightly to get it in in this assembled condition.

We are investigating the possibility of working  more often on the boat to ensure the target end date is reached.

Ham Mill - Monday 4th March 2019

by: Andy P.

A big turn out today, Bob, Duncan, Mathew, Maurice, Richard, Jason, Kay, Steve, Andy and a visit from Ken from WD.  First job was to clear several fallen trees so we could get into the yard.   Then we set about moving the sand bag, moving the big water pump and positioning it at the water edge to drain the Ambury connection.

Steve brought batteries and a suitable device was used to start the pump as we did not trust the weakened key. Hoses connected and out went the water-brilliant bit of kit.  More sticky mud digging, disc cutting, pick axing, wrecking baring, toad rescuing and then we measured up for another piece of pipe and bend.  The BD moved back and forth to help with these jobs

 The pipe and bend were pushed into place by hand-well actually 10 hands, but it worked. Then it was lowered into place with straps helping to make it all fit.  It’s now safe to say we are round the bend.

Duncan and Kay spent time happily cleaning stones ready for the wall rebuild.

The spring weather seems to encourage tree growth as yet another one was planted on the bank, becoming more of an arboretum by the week.

A good day and making progress.

Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

Today, the cab repairs continued.  We have almost reached the stage where the rotten bottom frame has been replaced with shiny new metal.  Once that is done, it will be on with the tin work, which will be a bit trickier

Out in the yard, the engine cover received a dose of energetic interior decorating.  It is nearly ready for some Dulux Brilliant White and some ceiling lights! 

The battery isolator switch is now affixed to the inside edge of the engine bay.  A sign will be needed on the outside to notify of its location.  Being close to the engine, the cable runs should be quite short.

No more odd bits of scaffold will be called upon to assist with mooring.  Eight extension pieces have now been machined and flogged into the ends with a large sledge hammer.  A good tight fit.

We also extracted the starboard fuel tank.  Some modifications are needed to incorporate a diesel filling point.  The old side entry pipe has now been cut off and a welded plate inserted.  Getting the tank in and out is very tricky and actually it exited through the cab floor area!

During the day, our hydraulics man paid a visit to record, in detail, the numerous pipe fitting sizes and runs.  Hopefully, some new parts can soon be added to the rebuild.