''Bustardthorpe'', now known as ''Miranda Mayne'', is a privately owned steel
lighter
A lighter is a portable device which creates a flame, and can be used to ignite a variety of items, such as cigarettes, gas lighter, fireworks, candles or campfires. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable liquid or ...
, based on the
River Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the R ...
at
Abingdon. She is on the
National Register of Historic Vessels
National Historic Ships UK is a government-funded independent organisation that advises UK governments and others on matters relating to historic ships. , but is not a part of the
National Historic Fleet
The National Historic Fleet is a list of historic ships and vessels located in the United Kingdom, under the National Historic Ships register. National Historic Ships UK is an advisory body which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media ...
.
''Bustardthorpe'' was originally constructed as an unpowered barge by
Joseph Spencer Watson for
T F Woods & Co.
Constructed of riveted Swedish
rolled steel and fitted with a tiller and open wheelhouse, she was completed in 1914. She was initially paired with the
steam towing barge ''Ouse'', and made regular trips between
York
York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...
and the towns of
Hull and
Goole
Goole is a port town and civil parish on the River Ouse in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The town's historic county is the West Riding of Yorkshire.
According to the 2011 UK census, Goole parish had a population of 19,518, an increa ...
.
During her time with T F Woods & Co, she carried up to 120 tons of Swedish pulped paper rolls, destined for use by the
Yorkshire Herald.
She also transported bagged cocoa beans, sugar, hazelnuts and gum to
Wormald Cut on the
River Foss
The River Foss is in North Yorkshire, England. It is a tributary of the River Ouse. It rises in the Foss Crooks Woods near Oulston Reservoir close to the village of Yearsley and runs south through the Vale of York to the Ouse in the centre of ...
for the confectionery company
Rowntrees
Rowntree's is a British confectionery brand and former business based in York, England. Rowntree developed the Kit Kat (introduced in 1935), Aero (introduced in 1935), Fruit Pastilles (introduced in 1881), Smarties (introduced in 1937) brands, ...
.
In 1931, ''Bustardthorpe'' was fitted with a 75kW
Lister JP6 diesel engine, and was registered as a motor vessel.
Collisions at Castle Mill Lock
In 1949, ''Bustardthorpes reverse gear failed while travelling down the River Foss, and she crashed into the lower gates of
Castle Mill Lock, damaging the gates.
She was then sold in 1957 to the
Dry Pool Engineering and Dry Dock Company, and the following year was sold again to
William Gilyott & Co Ltd of Hull.
In 1959, again at Castle Mill Lock, her engine overheated and she lost control.
She caused £60 of damage to the pumphouse suction pipe after colliding with it.
References
{{Oldest surviving ships (pre-1919)
Barges
1914 ships
Ships and vessels on the National Register of Historic Vessels