#432

A Commissioned Pen

NB Saturn Oak and Gun Metal Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profits from the sale of this pen will be gifted to The Shropshire Union Fly-Boat Restoration Society, the Custodians of NB Saturn)

EUROPEAN OAK - Quercus robur

Usually straight-grained, the heartwood of European Oak varies in colour from light tan to brown. Quarter-sawn pieces show attractive flame figuring. The wood is fairly hard, heavy and dense, clean but with the occasional knot. European Oak is a beautiful timber and with an oil finish, the grain will turn a deep golden brown.

This particular piece of oak (probably English rather than European) is just a little bit special though. It is one of the large bow mainframes from the Shropshire Fly Boat Saturn. The days of the fly-boats began with the success of the Bridgewater and Trent & Mersey canals in the 1770’s. Up until the heyday of the fly boats cargos had sedately plodded up the towing paths (Haling Way’s in them thar days) at three miles per hour or so but the new Fly Boats with teams of four men and two horses regularly galloped their loads of perishable goods at ten miles per hour. 

Built in 1906 for the Shropshire Union Canal Carrying Co. at Tower Wharf, Chester, Saturn was used for the fast carriage of cheese from the producing towns of Cheshire and Shropshire to the major markets such as Manchester. 

Saturn is the last horse-drawn Shropshire Union Canal Fly-boat in the World – originally built to travel non-stop, day and night. Over 100 years old, she has been fully restored to her former glory; not only to preserve her for posterity but to educate present and future generations about our waterways, narrowboats and horse-boating.

We left Bumble Hole a day early. The weather forecast was looking grim again with higher winds and a whole day of rain forecast. Before getting the pram cover built on the back of the boat I used to have to turn pens on the good weather days and move on the nasty ones, now we had the luxury of the choice of days. 

Today's cruise was going to be a nice shortish one in cool winter sunshine. We didn't even have any locks to slow us down and as soon as we were through, the large and easy to navigate, Netherton tunnel it would be New Main Line all the way to Brum city centre to meet up with our fellow traders for The Narrowboat Traders Association Winter Floating Market.

There was a great turnout with several boats down on the cancellation list. Friday was going to be a long, and hopefully, busy day for us as it was our first NBTA late night illuminated market with all of us boaters displaying Christmassy lights and opening until late. I had heard a whisper that we were going to be open from 10 til 10! At least I will have time to catch up with the last of my commissioned pens.

Pen #432 was turned on Wednesday 16th December 2015 just outside the car park of the Barclay Card Arena in Birmingham.