Welcome to the Sickle website!
Sickle was built in 1936 by W.J. Yarwood and Sons of Northwich as one of eight pairs of boats of all steel construction with rounded chines and vee bottoms for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company's star class fleet as part of the ambitious expansion policy. They were designated the 'E Type' and become known as the 'middle northwich' boats. They were built with rounded chines and vee bottoms for estuary work but were unpopular with the boatmen as they were unstable, therefore the Ministry of War Transport shortened four of the motors, including Sickle, into 40ft icebreakers and fitted a 5ft ice ram to the bows. For more information visit the 'middle northwich' page.
To navigate around the site, click a sub-menu to the left which will reveal the links.
Photo courtesy of S. Bingham.
Latest Updates
- 13th August: Photos from summer holiday down GU to Bulbourne uploaded
- 21st July: Details of trip on SWEDEN from Norton Junc to Pooley Wharf
- Details of Small Northwich butty TOUCAN added
- Photos of CANTLEY, SKYLARK, SUDBURY, HARE, SWALLOW
- 6th July: Information and photos of small woolwich Asterope added
- 5th July: Threefellows Carrying fleet added
- For more updates visit the "updates page"
Website created by Matt Parrott