Stour

• The last discharge of crude tar by boat.
• The last discharge of crude tar by boat.

 

A motor boat built in 1936 for Thomas Clayton (Oldbury) Ltd, the fuel oil carriers. Stour was used for carrying tar between Oldbury and Ellesmere Port until 1955, then for carrying gas tar around the Black Country until 1966. Stour was in the hands of the Beechey family for the whole of her working life; first Abel and then his daughter Violet. The family lived on the boat in the cabin which is fitted out with beds, cupboards, a table and a coal stove for cooking on.

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