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BUFFALO

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N.B. Certainly two different craft (A & B) but date of change uncertain.

Craft

Fleet No

Built at

Hull

Cost

Type

BUFFALO (A)

Uxbridge, 1890

Steam canal boat/Tug

Owners

Address

Source for

First Date

London & Birmingham Canal Carrying Co

William Mead & Co

Western Cartage Co

8 St Catherine Ct Seething Lane London EC

Paddington & Iver

North Wharves, Paddington

Watermans Hall 1437

Reg

Inspection

7.2.1891

3.4.1900

28.3.1913

Steamer Registrations

Owner

Place

PH No

Date Inspected

Date Registered

London & Birmingham CCCo

William Mead & Co

Western Cartage

Uxbridge

Tring

Uxbridge

144

478

Tug

Wide (8’) steam tug

Steam Wide Fly

28.3.1913

27.1.1891

3.4.1900

28.3.1913

Steamer Gaugings

Owner

Place

Gauging Number

Notes

Date

London & Birmingham CCCo

9623

3.9.1894

Boiler

Engine

Steamer History

Fly by shifts (reg)

Photographed at Bushells BrosYard after refit (C&RC) RHC Reading PDX 375/9/10/BW4809

Photo BW 5821

Photo BW 2726 towing gravel boats

2 cabins 5’2 x 8’0 x 7’4 Aft and 5’6 x 10’0 x 7’6 Fore ..Fit for human habitation (reg)

1906

28.7.1906

3.1913

Fate

Boat destroyed (PoL)

Date

3.9.1898

Documents on file

BW 5821 pc Full length from starboard side

RHC Reading PDX 375/9/10/BW4809 pc After refit at Bushell Bros 1906

BW 2726 pc With train of gravel boats 28.7.1906 (Illustration)

Port of London Gauging 9623 pc 3.9.1894

Correspondence Millner re canal blockage pc 1-24.9.1896

Millner Letters

1.9.1896 Your steamer PHOENIX and the L&BCCo steamer BUFFALO blocked off all traffic at Stoke yesterday for 24 hours and delayed some 40 boats. I have a report from our tug master on the 28^th ulto that your new steamer PRINCESS ran into the company’s Blisworth Tug on the 2.o/c turn and also the boat behind and broke the tug’s towrope and turned the boats across the tunnel. Millner/FMC

1.9.1896 I beg to report that the traffic at Stoke top lock was blocked for 24 hours from 5.40 am yesterday until 6.00 am this morning and was caused by the L&BCC’s steamer BUFFALO Captain W Edwards and FM&C Ltd steamer PHOENIX Captain A Humphrey running into the lock and refusing to give way. The PHOENIX caught the BUFFALO in Blisworth Tunnel. I am informed Edwards signalled to the PHOENIX (which had a perishable cargo) to pass when outside the tunnel. Instead of doing so he jammed the PHOENIX and broke his own tow line – Edwards then ran his own steamer (BUFFALO) into the lock and left his butty boat behind – the PHOENIX followed and both steamers remained in the lock. Edwards (BUFFALO) was ordered by the lock keeper to give way but he refused.

I was at Braunston in the morning and could not get to Stoke until 3.30 pm. I tried both persuasion and force to remove Edwards and it was not till I got there this morning that he would give way which he did by pulling out of the lock. Some 40 boats were delayed. I shal be glad of your immediate instructions whether I am to take out a summons against Edwards or both Captains under Penal Enactment 30 and claim full penalty. I am, yours faithfully, T W Millner (to GC Thomas, Bulbourne)

4.9.1896 Stoppage at Stoke: In reply to yours of the 3^rd inst, I have taken out summonses against the Captains of the Steamers BUFFALO and PHOENIX under the 89^th section of the Company’s act and a third summons on the BUFFALO for strapping round the lock gate balance on our endeavouring to force the boat out of the lock (under Bye Law 13.

Edwards has been troublesome for some time and only a fortnight ago I gave orders for him to be watched when passing Buckby and Braunston.

I had instructed Mr Whitton, magistrates clerk, of Towcester, before receipt of your letter.

With regard to the stoppage I tried to remove the BUFFALO out of the lock, but the driver left working the engine and we were unable to clear the gates. I then called on the Police to assist us but to no purpose. If I had obtained the necessary horses and men to force the boat out of the lock we should have had a breach of the peace and no police to assist us.

The case will be heard on the 22^nd inst at Towcester and Mr Whitton would like a copy of the company’s act to present before the magistrates. Yrs obediently TW Millner (to Hubert Thomas, 21 Surrey Street)

11.9.1896 In reply to yours of the 10^th inst. Humphries , the Captain of the PHOENIX saw me on Sunday morning respecting his summons and I told him I could do nothing for him but that he might write or see you if he wanted any consideration. I do not attach so much blame to him as the lock was his and the stoppage was caused by Edwards. I think a small fine before the magistrates would meet Humphries case but Edwards I should like to make an example of and get off the Canal if possible. Both men have had the summonses served on them. (Millner to Hubert Thomas 21 Surrey St)

11.9.1896 Stoppage at Stoke: The Captains of the Steamers BUFFALO and PHOENIX have been served with summonses and the case will be heard on the 22^nd inst at Towcester – Mr Whitton is Solicitor for the Company. Can you tell me if the Company have any previous cases against Edwards of…………..told he was the………..that broke the padlock off Marsworth Lock gates and assaulted the lock keeper Cotterill. Millner/GC Thomas)

16.9. 1896 When will it be convenient for you to see me respecting the above case, which I understand will be heard next Tuesday. (Millner/ Whitton)

22.9.1896 I beg to report that this case was heard atTowcester today with Lord Eaton as Chairman of the Magistrates. At Lord Euston’s suggestion Mr Whitton withdrew the summons against Humphrey and Edwards was fined 20/- for strapping round the lock gate………..20/- for obstructing the traffic with an additional 12/- costs. Our case against Edwards was only partially heard when the Chairman intimated the bench had heard sufficient evidence and had made up their minds. It would be a good thing to get the Edwards family removed from the canal if possible. (Millner/H Thomas)

22.9.1896 I have to report that this case was heard at Towcester today. At Lord Euston’s suggestion, Mr Whitton withdrew the summons against Humphrey. Edwards was fined 20/- for strapping round the gate balance and 20/- for stopping the traffic with an additional 12/- costs.

24.9.1896 I beg to return the Company’s Act. I should like to ask for a spare copy of this as the one belonging to this office has been taken away. Referring to the stoppage, I requested Humphrey to pull out of the lock after I found it impractical to shift Edwards.

In case of another stoppage and the boatmen refuse to give way shall I be right in using force to clear the traffic.I beg to thank you for the sheets of Bye Laws and a few copies in book form would be useful. The original 200 yard distance posts are gone at Stoke top and bottom and also at Cosgrove and Fenny. Will you please say if you object to my replacing them. Regarding the one for the top of Stoke do you think it advisable to refix this post bearing in mind the following notice which is posted at Stoke Pass Office and also at Braunston..

GJCCo

Notice

All boats leaving the south end of Blisworth Tunnel are to take their turn of the locks in the same order as tugged through the tunnel.

By order

(Millner/H Thomas)

Craft

Fleet No

Built at

Hull

Cost

Type

BUFFALO (B)

Steam Tug

Owners

Address

Source for

First Date

Thomas Clayton

or Gardner, Locket & Henton

Paddington

Church Ave, EC

Registration

25.9.1917

Steamer Registrations

Owner

Place

PH No

Date Inspected

Date Registered

As above

Paddington

250

Wide Steam Tug

25.9.1917

Steamer Gaugings

Owner

Place

Gauging Number

Notes

Date

Boiler

Engine

Steamer History

2 cabins

Fate

Date

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