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HISTORIAN’S CORNER
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PHELPS HISTORY
A CANAL NIGHT AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Last Tuesday, June 21, an overflow crowd gathered at the Clifton Library to learn about renting a "Narrowboat" and learning how to navigate on the English canals. (An overflow crowd because president Mueller insisted three of his children, wife, daughter-in-law, and seven of his grandchildren attend to guarantee him an audience.) All reports are that a delightful and informative evening was enjoyed by all.
Roger and Donna Cullen presented a "power-point" presentation that gave 10 excellent reasons why we all should look up "Narrowboats" on the internet and sign up for the perfect English vacation. Scenic points to visit mentioned were the canal side pubs, the castles, the potteries, the manor estates, the cities, the churches, and the countryside.
The Cullens told of the trip they took back in August of 1992 with their 16 and 10 year old sons. Since no red blooded American male likes to retrace his steps, Roger chose a canal system that made a circle south of (and including) Manchester, England. The circuitous route is referred to as a "Ring" among canal folk. The "Ring" Roger and Donna chose was called the "Four County Ring" and was 104 miles long with 94 locks, 3 aqueducts, and one two mile long, dark as night, one way, tunnel, with water dripping from the ceiling. Roger reported that the "light at the end of the tunnel" was a long time coming. Roger also reported that before the coming of motorized canal boats, someone would have to lead the horse over the hill while the rest of the crew would lay on their back and push on the low ceiling of the tunnel to propel the boat through the tunnel.
The Cullen family made the circuit in the week allowed but were under pressure because the maximum allowable speed is three miles per hour. Water and other services were readily available along the route. The Cullens would recommend a slower pace with more stops to enjoy the canal side attractions. When asked how much training they got before leaving the boat rental they reported, "Ten minutes at the most". Both the Muellers and Cullens reported that he British folks on the canal were very cordial and helpful in getting through the locks and tunnels. A basic knowledge of how to steer a boat is required, however.
One question from the audience was the cost of such an adventure. George Mueller reported that in 2002 he rented a 56 foot long English canal boat that sleeps six for $1100.00. At first this seems like a lot but when shared by two couples it is cheaper than two hotel rooms for a week ……..and a lot more fun!
Mary Lue and George reported on their June, 2002 trip on the English canals with an elderly cousin and his partner. The Mueller's training period and lasted a whole half hour and included going through a lock which was very helpful. The Mueller's were less adventurous than the Cullen's. George reported he had a "weak" crew. Mary Lue reported the crew had a lazy captain that spent all his time giving orders as he sat on the "Poop deck" with tiller in his hand.
In fairness to George he did try to train his crew to steer the boat and thought cousin Sara Mobley had the hang of it. She was holding the boat on course straight down the middle of the canal so George went below to the bathroom. A yell for help soon followed. When returning George found the 56 foot boat headed straight for her sister ship that had been rented by 3 Norwegian couples and was tied up at a canal side pub. George put her in full reverse but it was too late. "You torpedoed us!" said the surprised Norwegians after we bumped. Fortunately they were good natured about the ineptitude of their American landlubber friends and we did not start World War III.
The Mueller's were much more timid than the Cullens. When faced with five locks and a mile and a half "Blissworth Tunnel" they decided to turn around and enjoy the canal side pubs they had been passing. The Norwegians did go through the Blissworth and reported it was scary. When hearing of the Mueller's turn around their comment was, "In Norway we call that Chicken". George replied in the USA we call it the same.
President Mueller started the meeting with a short history of the importance of the canal system to both England and New York State. The Industrial Revolution in both countries was fed by canals. Horse and wagons over swampy roads could no way supply the supplies demanded by the modern factories and farms. Canals were so important to Ontario County that the county kept Port Gibson when it split off Wayne County.
Both the Cullen and Mueller families report renting a canal boat as a great vacation and encourage others to do the same. If interested contact them or look up "Narrowboats" on the internet.
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