NB Saturn Oak and 24ct Gold Plated Fountain Pen
(A donation 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.
Pen #632 was turned on 25th August at 2016 at Evesham on The River Avon -
Its lovely to get some proper boating in. Having left the hectic weekend at the Blisworth Festival we had a choice to either head back into Birmingham and then south to Stourport on Severn for the Floating Market and River Carnival weekend; or to break off south earlier and head to Stafford Upon Avon via the river Avon and then up the river Severn to Stourport. Luckily the weather was with us and we chose the river route.
Whilst it certainly made a nice change to be on the rivers they do tend to be far more rural and, well once you've seen one field bordered by trees it all gets a bit samey. We were delighted that our daughter Jess was able to visit us on the rivers for the bank holiday weekend though, it was a real treat. Here's the -tongue in cheek- itinerary that I posted to her FaceBook wall...
..."We are pleased to confirm your Bank Holiday weekend booking aboard NB Lois Jane.
Our representative, Mr Dudwey, will meet you in Worcester where you will be conveyed via railway to Evesham old town moorings where a pimms reception awaits your embarkation in the captains lounge.
Fridays leisurely cruise down the River Avon will see you passing river meadows and quintessential English villages such as Chadbury, Fladbury and Wyre Piddle (no not made up names) before mooring at Pershore.
Saturday will see a longer days cruise mooring overnight in Tewkesbury, the Avon/Severn Junction, before heading north over Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (moorings yet to be confirmed) along the non tidal River Severn to Worcester"...
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