The London Canal Museum

London's canal history and the 19th Century ice trade - a museum with a second related theme.

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The good news now is that we have Bantam,IV running again. The fuel gauge is telling us lies, that's why we ran out of diesel. The manual pump that transfers diesel from the main tank to the day tank isn't working either but we have bought a small pump and have managed to refill the day tank from cans.

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Bantam IV left Watford on Thursday and after a problem with water cooling of the engine was fixed, caused by a mistake we made, it got to Widewater Lock. On Friday after an early start in freezing cold conditions everything went very well until we were between West Drayton and Hayes. The engine stopped due to fuel starvation. It looks as if we have two issues. The fuel gauge is faulty and led us to think we had plenty of diesel in the day tank, which feeds the engine. The pump that transfers fuel from the main tank to the day tank doesn't work any more so we are unable to run until this is fixed. We are looking at solutions!

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At long last, Bantam IV is out on the canal again. Today we are taking her on a test run from Watford to Rickmansworth and back, so far all is going well. We should be able to plan a return to the museum soon!

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News about the tug Bantam IV. After a long wait for the manufacture of a new propshaft the tug was put back in the water last week. The engine is installed and electric start fitted snd working. Alas there is a water leak that is letting cooling water into the exhaust. Two possible components that might be the culprits have been sent to Braunston for pressure testing. We should know more soon.

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Remembering Dinah Hutchinson (1935–2025): Founder of the London Canal Museum

We have received word that Mrs Dinah Hutchinson, the founder of the London Canal Museum, and first Chair of the Canal Museum Trust, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, 4 October, aged 90. The London Canal Museum exists today because of Dinah’s remarkable determination and passion for the unique culture of those who worked historically on narrowboats.

A museum to celebrate canal life

During the great freeze of 1961-2, Dinah’s house overlooked the Regents Canal near City Road Basin, and she encountered canal boat people with their colourful narrowboats, marooned for many weeks and sometimes dancing on the ice. Until then, they had been regularly carrying goods for British Waterways, between Birmingham and the London docks, but when the thaw eventually came, the traffic had transferred to the roads, never to return. Dinah saw the remarkable culture of canal boat people and vowed to establish a museum to celebrate them.

Searching for a home

Dinah searched with great determination for a site where a museum could be established, amidst the then run-down wharves of the Regent’s Canal, and with others she set up the charitable Canal Museum Trust. In the later 1980s, she obtained a lease on a derelict site on Battlebridge Basin, at 9-11 New Wharf Road, N1. The Greater London Council had been acquiring land around the Basin, but in 1986 it was dissolved by the Government and was forced to dispose of its properties. While they were selling the freehold of 9-11 to a property developer, Dinah persuaded them to grant a lease to the Trust for 35 years, initially at a “peppercorn rent”, i.e. effectively for free. 

In 1989 there was a sudden property boom and the developer wanted urgently to develop 9-11 (which had ‘air rights’ from a demolished 6-storey flour mill).  A lawyer by profession, Dinah negotiated a property swap to acquire the historic former icehouse next door at 12-13 New Wharf Road, a location that was much more fitting for the museum, and had icewells in the basement, where the developer would want to put foundation piles. Consequently, there was a large difference in valuation between the two sites. Dinah persuaded the developer to grant that difference to the Museum as a dowry.

The canal through Islington was then seen as a depressed area, and Dinah sought out an inner-city action grant and other funds to help convert 12-13 New Wharf Road, and so, through her, and many other’s efforts, in 1992 the London Canal Museum was opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

There is a final twist to this story: in 1991 there was a property crash, and the developer of 9-11 had a crisis of liquidity. He asked whether the museum might purchase our site’s freehold. Dinah persuaded us to take up the offer, at the knockdown price of £250,000, which we did, partly with the help of a mortgage.  Thus, today, the museum has a rent-free existence.

Her legacy

Today, the London Canal Museum is highly regarded, attracting over 20,000 visitors annually. The story of the canal people and their culture is kept alive and shared with visitors from around the world. We are grateful to Dinah and the many others who have worked to develop and run the museum to date.

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The engine is now back in the engine compartment of Banyam IV and looking really good. However we now need a new prop shaft as the pld one has rusted solid over the winter. More delay alas but se sre in sight of getting the tug back to the museum in July.

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The Lister JP2 engine from Bantam IV is now back at the boatyard ready for reinstallation in the tug. It has been painted grey, belived to be the original colour. Almost certainly this was the most major overhaul the engine has ever had since manufacture in 1949. Next step is to crane it back in, then get everything connected.

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At long last the Lister JP2 engine of Bantam IV is finished having been given a major overhaul. Rather more work needed to be done than expected but Vintage Diesels at Braunston have done a fine job and the engine can now be returned to the tug.

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We're excited to host a spring museum late event featuring author David Fathers.

Join us on Thursday, 29th May, for a special evening featuring a fascinating talk, Q&A, and book signing with the acclaimed author David Fathers.

David is the author of several beloved guidebooks, including his debut 'The Regent's Canal' (published in 2012), which explores the iconic waterway in detail. His other works, 'London's Hidden Rivers' and 'Green London', further showcase his passion for the city's often-overlooked natural treasures.

During the talk, David will offer a unique insight into his creative journey, sharing how he researches, writes, and beautifully illustrates his informative guides. After the talk there will be an interactive Q&A session with David followed by a book signing - bring your own copies or purchase them on the night!

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in London's rich history and geography.

Make your evening even more memorable with a leisurely boat trip along the Regent's Canal. Departing from the museum, our trips will take you to St Pancras Lock and back, offering a tranquil and picturesque view of London as the evening lights begin to twinkle. Seats on the boat are limited, so book early to make sure you secure your place. 

Event specifics:

Date: Thursday, 29th May 2025

Time: late event starts 4:30pm, David’s talk starts 6pm, last entry 8:30pm, event closes 9pm.

Boat trip times: 5:15pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm

Price: £5 entry, £10 including a boat trip. Seats on the boat are limited, so please book early to secure your place

Boarding the boat It is important to arrive at least ten minutes before the boat is due to depart otherwise you may not be able to board

How to book: Book online at https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/museum-late.htm.

Especially for boat trips, advance booking is highly recommended. Unsold seats will be available at the door

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A maker's plate is now respondent in new paint

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Can you identify these engine parts and what they. are for?

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The Lister JP2 crank case cover was found to have a crack. Vintage Diesels have found a replacement part, remarkably. We are leaving no stone unturned in this project whilst we have the opportunity to repair anything that needs it. It would be much more costly to make these repairs separately in the future.

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We took the decision to have the flywheel of the Lister JP2 engine modified with ring gear so that a starter motor can be fitted. Modification of an artefact is not to be done lightly but the benefits are that we can run the engine more regularly and maintain it better so we judged that to be in the long term best interests of preservation.

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Work is coming on well on the engine of Bantam IV. The main parts are reassembled and painted.

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The work on Bantam IV is now finished and it has been moved to a storage location at the boat yard until the engine is ready to be refitted. The interior of the engine compartment is clean and painted, the hull black after some minor work. Meanwhile, the oil tank has been taken north to Branston for overhaul and use in testing the engine. It needs a bit of repair and a good clean. The Lister JP2 is a dry-sump engine. Oil is held in this tank and pumped around the engine when it is running. The engine drains into the tank when it stops. Soon the engine will be painted grey as we believe it was when built in 1949.

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The Lister Blackstone gearbox of the Bantam IV tug has been found to have a broken mounting plate that has been repaired by bolting on a piece of metal long in the past. The best way to repair this is being investigated.

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Some general pictures taken this last week of the Lister JP2 engine being rebuilt by Vintage Diesels at Braunston. The re-ground crankshaft is back in the engine block, bearings replaced etc and things are coming on nicely.