Cowburn & Cowpar
Narrowboat Carrying Fleet

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Chris Williams of Ovation Boat Services has been associated with Cowburn & Cowpar ex-working narrow boat Skylark since 1988, spending much of this time at the tiller. Much of these "Cowpar" pages therefore relate to Skylark
Any additional information, particularly older photographs of the fleet, would be greatly welcomed
Background History
W.H.Cowburn was a chemical merchant whose business expanded in 1877, with the founding of the Cowpar Chemical Co, in partnership with Mr. Parkinson. Manufacturing chemicals with a principal customer Samuel Courtalds, who by the 1890s was experimenting with man-made fibres, which required the chemical carbon-disulphide. In 1916 the Cowpar company reformed as W.H.Cowburn & Cowpar Ltd
They had a fleet of narrow boats and flats, also horse-drawn road vehicles. The narrow boats mostly being acquired second hand during the 1900s. The flats were sold after 1918, however the narrow boat fleet increased in number
Initially the fleet were horse-drawn boats, but in 1932 two steel composite motorboats (7'1" wide) were ordered from W. J. Yarwoods, followed by six all steel (7'0"). All eight being fitted with Gardner engines. The chemicals being carried in drums and carboys, some had three large tanks fitted (not Skylark)
After the Second World War, Cowburn & Cowpar started the transition to road haulage, gradually disposing of the boats. The carbon-disulphide traffic finished in 1951 and all boat operations ceased in 1956
Skylark History
Skylark was built by Yarwoods of Northwich and fitted with a single cylinder hot bulb semi-diesel engine made by Gardner of Manchester for Cowburn & Cowpar Ltd. Skylark transported carbon-disulphide acid to Courtalds in the area of Coventry and Wolverhampton
From a known picture of the Burton family taken at Rode Heath on the Trent and Mersey canal in 1936 and Health authority records showing Mr. A. Burton as the master from 9th December 1947 with a final recording in December 1947. It is thought therefore Mr. Burton was Master from 1934 through to the end of 1947
Taking the tiller from 1947 - 1951 was Mr. John Poole, however the period from 1952 - 1954 remains unclear. Cowburn & Cowpar sold Skylark in 1955 to Jonathan Horsefield Ltd, Runcorn but did not cancel registration until 2nd October 1956
The Captain whilst with Jonathan Horsefield was Mr. Billie Wain, and shortly after this period Skylark was hired to Mr. Joe Prescott. Cargo during this time being coal, mainly small nuts. In February 1958 Skylark had a very bad fire at Worsley and was burnt out. This was thought to have been a deliberate act ending Skylark's carrying life
It appears that in August 1958 Skylark was being made ready to sell on, as registration with Jonathan Horsefield took place at this time, possible due to an oversight which needed correcting prior to being sold. From entries on the Engine Test Certificate early in September 1958 suggests activity to correct the damage caused by the fire earlier in the year. It is known parts from the engine of Starling were used
Mr. J.M. Powell-Heath of Kegworth on the River Soar acquired Skylark 2nd November 1958. At this time Skylark was fully converted with full length accommodation
John Rice, mooring Clayworth, Chesterfield canal                1973
Nick & Cathy Gent, mooring Southern Grand Union                June 1983
Gent & Williams family, mooring Banbury Oxford canal          18th August 1988
Since 1993 Skylark has been with the Williams family. In 1994 Skylark was de-converted and fully restored to full working trim, carrying occasionally
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Designed and managed by Chris Williams, last up-dated May 2007
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