Steam Canal Tug 'Adamant'

Probably the only genuine steam driven canal tug around, Adamant is in fact a replica based on the Bridgewater Canal Tugs of around the turn of the last century. Twenty years ago a good friend of mine started to build a narrow boat for himself using as a basis for the hull two stern ends of ex Alfred Matty 'Joey' boats. As the work progressed, the idea of the steam tug shape impressed itself and the result is the 'Adamant' of today.

Most of the hull is therefore about 110 years old although quite a lot of replating was needed to the bow section. Apart from the counter, all the visible plating is the original rivetted iron work. The hull was completed and the boat launched in 1988.

At that time the cabin top was in timber, while the engine and boiler room were is steel. Later the whole of the upperworks were changed to steel, as she is now in the photo.

It was not until 1995/6 that 'Adamant' was first seen "in steam". At that time the engine was a Sissons single cylinder 4" bore by 4" stroke non-condensing engine working at 150 psi with steam supplied from a three-drum water tube (coal fired) boiler. As the engine was non reversing, it drove the propellor via a direct drive gearbox.

It has to be admitted that the accomodation is rather Spartan but this should improve given time!