The 71 feet (22 m) long[4]President was constructed in 1909 at FMC's company dock in Saltley,[5] and cost £600[6] (equivalent to £79,000 in 2023).[1] She was registered on 23 June that year.[6] Her riveted, wrought iron hull is shaped in the 'Josher' style, named for FMC director Joshua Fellows.[6]
Ernest Thomas, a director of FMC, and a Walsall-based coal carrier, acquired the boat in 1946.[6] She was sold to George and Matthews of Wolverhampton in 1948,[6] but that year the UK's canals were nationalised and she finished her working days as part of British Waterways' northern maintenance fleet, on the Trent and Mersey, Macclesfield and Shropshire Union canals, from a base at Northwich.[6]
Preservation
President was bought by Nicholas Bostock and Malcolm Braine in 1973, as a derelict hull.[6] They restored the hull and constructed a replica cabin and boiler room.[6] A 1928 Muir and Findley "Scotch" return boiler, similar to that originally used, but operating at 100 PSI was acquired and fitted,[6] as was a twin cylinder steam engine, originally used in a Thames launch.[6] The boat returned to service in 1978.[6]
Black Country Living Museum
NB President and Kildare - Soulbury Locks
President was purchased by the Black Country Living Museum in January 1983.[5] The boiler was replaced by a Cochran dryback return flue boiler in 1990.[6] A major refit took place from 2001–2003, including the provision of a new steam engine, pipework and cabin, plus major hull repairs.[6]
President, in FMC livery, normally operates with a butty boat, Kildare.[6] In 1992 she paired with Kildare on a 257 mile journey through Cheshire and Staffordshire to raise money for orphaned children in Romania.[7]
