Building the hull, the first week.

Here they are: The first pictures of the good ship Liberty Belle,
started on Mon. July 8th, 2002 at Colecraft, Long Itchington.


This is the base plate being laid.


The base plate is 70' long--that's it on the floor, stretching away to infinity!

70' is about as long as a narrowboat can be on the English canal system.
Our boat will be able to cruise most of the canals, but there will be a few where she is too long to fit in the locks.




By Wednesday, the sides were already on, held in position by temporary supports across the hull.



On Friday, the bow and stern were in place,



and the "rubbing strakes" were being fitted.


So that is the first week of our boat.
The hull should be finished by the end of the month.

Then the exciting bit happens. She will be craned out of the water,
and taken by road from Long Itchington to Braunston.
There she will be craned back in to the water ready for her fit out.
It should be a sight worth seeing--70' of boat swinging around in the air!
Rest assured, the pictures will be on this website.
You will get the late breaking news as it happens!


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