The Elver

Originally a 1930s built Welsh coal boat fitted with a bow at both ends this horse drawn narrow boat was converted into two 25ft passenger boats. Purchased by us in July 2005 one half of the vessel was transported to Heybridge Basin where it was re–hulled and refurbished and launched April 2006.

The Chelmer Blackwater Navigational Canal

To increase the tonnage of goods between the port of Maldon and Chelmsford the county town of Essex, a plan to convert the Chelmer a small river linking Chelmsford to the Blackwater Estuary into a navigable waterway was proposed. In 1793 an act of parliament was granted for making and maintaining the Chelmer and Blackwater. Royal assent to the Chelmer Navigation Bill was received on the 17th June 1793. Construction started the same year under the direction of engineer John Rennie although day to day running of the project was under the control of fellow engineer Richard Coates. Completed in a time of three years and eight months the total length of the waterway is 13¾ miles consisting of 11 locks spaced approximately 1 mile apart with a fall of 76 ft. At 17ft wide and 68ft long the locks could accommodate barges 60ft long by 16ft beam and able to carry up to 25 tons of cargo. In addition there is the larger sea lock at the picturesque Heybridge Basin built to take 300 ton vessels of up to 107ft long by 26ft beam with a draft of up to 8ft.