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Number Ones

A small percentage of the thousands of boats that traded on the Midland canals were the Number Ones, the owner boatmen with the painted craft that feature so strongly in romantic canal literature.

The boatyards used by the majority of  Number Ones were those of Lees and Atkins at Polesworth and Nursers at Braunston.

Both of these yards were renowned for the quality of their boats and for their decoration.


One renowned family of owner boatmen were the Kings: Edward and his son Harry. 

     © Graham Nurser 2012