The BBC news site brought this to my attention and full details of this tragedy 60 years ago are given at: https://canalsidecamera.weebly.com/seve ... aster.html

Although not directly in the NEM area presumably these Harker barges, WASTDALE H and ARKENDALE H, would have traded in local waters over the years.

Ron M

I saw that as well Ron.
Congratulations on unearthing the story, it makes very interesting reading.

Not sure re ARKENDALE H deployment in her early days, but WASTDALE H was always part of Harker's Severn-based fleet, locally built as you will see.

Who would have thought that what looked like a canny little number (crewing on these vessel's a couple of Cargo discharges and then back to Base and possibly home for tea with a happy Wife who is glad you are not in some foreign Port) would have turned into such a tragedy, the sequence of events is horrific by any standards for the Barge Crews and their families.
A mix of Black Oil and Graphite was used to lubricate the steam side of the old steam jobs a couple of cans of it were kept on the cylinder tops to keep it warm and fluid.