Canal carrier history books

Book - Midlands Canals Ref: 1521
Subtitled - Memories of the Canal Carriers, by Robert Davies.

The men, women and children of all ages who lived and worked on the inland waterways experienced a spartan existence. They would often commence work at 4 or 5am, and carry on boating until well after dark.

This superbly researched and illustrated book is a compilation of interviews with a handful of the folk who worked the canals during the final decades of commercial canal carrying.

Soft back. 128 pages. 16.5cms x 23.5cms approx. Illustrated with black & white photos.

Price: £12.99

Book - Lancashire Canal Carriers (J. Monk & Sons) Ref: 814
by Norman Jones.

Publication of an article in Waterways World featuring Mr J. Monk Jnr of Adlington, with the short boats 'Irwell' and 'June' led to this book about the Lancashire based canal carrying firm and the waterways where they operated.

Soft back. 64 pages. 21.5cms x 27.3cms approx. Black & white photos.

Price: £9.95

Book - Walkers' of Ricky Ref: 1140
by Anthony J. Walker.

This book covers the history of W.H. Walker & Bros Ltd of Frogmoor Wharf, Rickmansworth. Founded in 1905. Anthony describes in this book the company's many enterprises, and of early Walkers who had been canal engineers.

From extensive records Anthony has compiled a family and company history of breadth and depth.

Hard back. 246 pages. 18.4cms x 25.2cms approx. Illustrated in both colour and black & white.

Price: £18.50

Book - Working Boat (Introduction) Ref: 588
by Ray Shill and Tom Foxon.

This book's sub-title is An Introduction to Midland Canal Carriers 1770-1845. It is the start of a planned series of books which will examine the carrier's story. It will look at their history, their trade and the wharves and warehouses commonly used.

This introduction will provide a brief summary of the routes, types of craft, frequency, speed of service, places, the Wharfinger etc. of the midland merchandise carriers, a full list of which appears at the back of the book.

Soft back. 54 pages. 14.6cms x 21cms approx. Illustrated with black and white photographs, diagrams and maps.

Price: £5.50

Book - Working Boat (Birmingham Trade) Ref: 704
by Ray Shill and Tom Foxon.

This volume deals specifically with Birmingham and Aston, where there was a large concentration of depots and services. The wharves at Broad Street, Crescent, Great Charles Street, Aston Junction and Fazeley Street are investigated in great detail as are the people and carrying firms associated with them.

Soft back. 64 pages. 14.8cms x 21cms approx. Illustrated with black and white photographs, diagrams and maps.

Price: £6.00