#228

NOW SOLD

NB Dane Elm and Chrome Plated Ballpoint Pen

(25% of which will be donated to The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation for the continued upkeep of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is rebottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

This pen was turned on Friday 27th March 2015 just above merry hill shopping centre. We had had a fantastic few days with our daughter Jess visiting from Poole in Dorset. The weather was ok most of the time but after recovering from the shock of Netherton Tunnel (one of the longest, deepest, widest on the system) Jess helped us in our shopping preparations for Dudley our soon to arive boat dawg. Whilst at Merry Hill I was able to prepare quite a few pen blanks inside the boat on rainy days and dash out with the lathe when it was a little dryer. Luckily a good size golfing umbrella will just about cover my work bench in the event of a shower.