Ep 85: A history of my century old Captain's Cabin!

[@OddLifeCrafting]

We loved hearing about the history and more than that, we loved saying you! Love you, Darling.

[@EarleWrites]

I love you guys to the moon and back! It's because of you two that I've begun filming again! ❤️❤️❤️

[@fischej]

You may have found your theme, Elizabeth. I think telling the story of your boat (and canal boats in general), combined with footage of moving the boat from place to place (perhaps with historical commentary on how those places themselves factored into canal boat history) could definitely form the basis for a unique and interesting channel.

[@DavidTangye]

I second that - exactly what I was thinking.

[@andrewplant2047]

Terrific video: Really interesting and getting the original stove up and running will be a good project for 2023. Beautiful boat and glad you recognise that the original living space is a lost gem. Being content is a life lived above any wealth.

[@EarleWrites]

I absolutely agree with that! I've never been poorer financially but I've also never been this happy either. Life on Maggie is pretty good and I appreciate and respect all of the 1920s living aspects of her. I plan to bring the captain's cabin back to her original glory. And am very excited about sharing more!

[@freedomtrail8255]

Loved hearing about the people of yesterday

[@MaritimeFox]

I was recently on my friends coal boat working up the Coventry to Fradley junction. A complete revelation to me was the Epping by my feet. In winter it gives you this lovely current of warm air around your feet and legs. It made boating for a few hours so much easier. There's no heat source on my boat at the stern, so in these current conditions I can only last 2 hours or so. I think an Epping is on the cards.

[@thomasmackenzie7811]

See .....Life is Good Again!!!!! You're Sooo Interesting 🤔 , Thank You for including (us-me and Ginger Dog 🐶! ) in your Adventures!!!

[@jeffdege4786]

In C.S. Forester's novel "Hornblower and the Atropos", Horatio Hornblower travels on a canal boat, from Gloucester to London on the Thames and Severn. The boat had a crew of two - one riding the rear horse and one manning the tiller. There was one stretch where they needed to "leg" through a tunnel, where the two men would lie on their sides on opposite sides of the boat and "walk" along the sides of the tunnel to propel the boat. The boat described was a passage-boat, an express configured for passengers, rather than for cargo, but the essentials were the same. I don't think you could operate a towed boat with less than two.

[@EarleWrites]

This is brilliant! Maybe I'll have to do a reading of it??

[@jeffdege4786]

@@EarleWrites The grey stone tower of a lock-house showed ahead, with the minute figure of the lock-keeper opening the gates. A yell from the postillion-boatman checked the speed of the horses; the boat glided on, its speed diminishing greatly as the bows slid off the bow wave. As the boat entered the lock the one-handed steersman leaped ashore with a line which he flipped dexterously round a bollard; a smart tug or two took most of the way off the boat, and the boatman, running forward, secured the line to another bollard. “Heave us that line, Captain,” he cried, and Hornblower obediently threw up the bow line for him to secure forward. The law of the sea applied equally in inland waters - the ship first and personal dignity a long way second. Already the lock-keeper was closing the gates behind them and the lock-keeper’s wife was opening the paddles of the upper gate, the water swirling in. The lower gates closed with a crash with the mounting pressure, and the boat rose with the gurgling water. The horses were changed in a twinkling; the postillion scrambled into his saddle, and proceeded to tilt a black bottle against his lips during the remaining few seconds while the lock filled. The steersman was casting off the lines - Hornblower took the bow-line from him - and the lock-keeper’s wife was thrusting at one upper gate while the lock-keeper, running up from the lower gate, thrust at the other. The postillion yelled and cracked his whip, the boat sprang forward while the helmsman leaped to his place astern, and they were off again with not a second wasted. Assuredly this canal traffic was a miracle of modernity, and it was gratifying to be on board the very fastest of the canal boats, the Queen Charlotte, that took priority over all other traffic. On her bow she carried a glittering scythe-blade as the proud symbol of her superior importance. It would sever the towline of any approaching boat which did not drop her line quickly enough to let her through. The two score of farmers’ wives and wenches who sat aft in the second class with their chickens and ducks and eggs and butter were all of them travelling as much as twenty miles to market, in the confident expectation of returning the same day. Quite astonishing.

[@debrawondergem1528]

Hello Lizbef, I like how you wove narrow boat history and life into a narrative combining your and Leela’s life onboard. It puts boat life then and now into perspective. I enjoy the scenery you share as you float by. It’s beautiful and idyllic and bucolic. It also is relaxing for someone living in the Mojave Desert to see. Thank you for sharing. Love and hugs from sunny Arizona💖😎💖

[@EarleWrites]

Oh my goodness, Debra, what a gorgeous comment to read! Thank you so much for the love! I genuinely am so excited to film about Maggie and the stories that have been created on board her throughout the years. I can't wait to share them! Thank you again for the support. ❤️

[@Grand-paws]

Thank you my dear I love the puppy. Excellent job.

[@suehall3298]

Another great video ☕🍰💐 Love Sue❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤

[@lowellirish]

I had an English Shepherd - An American farm dog mixed breed from indiginous East Coast US dogs and Border collies and rough collies broght by the settlers in 1870s...The typical "New England" farm dog. She was like yours, only white ruff and feathered hocks and feathered tail, ears... tri-color, and gorgeous...my little girl. 14 years. 💔

[@timhmetal3499]

Love your enthusiasm. It's contagious. Really like the glow about you. You look like you're in a good place right now. Respect and love...

[@EarleWrites]

Thanks matey! I am genuinely feeling pretty good right now! Big love to you. ✨

[@timhmetal3499]

@@EarleWrites 🤘😁🤘

[@VictorVictor-hq7ui]

The history of these boats is so interesting, Hope you find the history of Maggie. Good story telling too. 👍

[@shirleygreaves9650]

Loved this video, Maggie is a great boat,she looks very solid and well built. Loved hearing the history too. X

[@danhall8948]

Your a breath of fresh air

[@CanadianGrenadian]

Well my dear, I just rediscovered you and have started watching your episodes starting 3 years ago. Episode 1 wouldn’t let me comment so just wanted you to know that it’s great to have you back ☃️

[@madeleineeltham8166]

Great video - an researching my ancestry and have discovered the likelihood of my great great grandparents living eexactly as you've described, on the cut in Birmingham. Fascinated to learn more!

[@Grand-paws]

Question I really enjoy the history exclamation! I honestly hope you’re able to find out more about Maggie.

[@bettelewis5367]

You have the most awesome videos! I watched you on Delos and you were sunshine every day for me and you still are! I love your pup also, dogs are the best as I have three of them myself. I hope you keep the videos going for years to come. You are so awesome!

[@mattf49006]

I signed up when you left Delos and started this channel (subscriber #26..lol)..it's amazing how far you've come and accomplished...well done Liz

[@EarleWrites]

Aww thank you so much, Matt! That means a lot!

[@CanadianGrenadian]

Good to see you again

[@anthonywillis7613]

Having lived prior to retirement in a beautiful apartment almost on the tow path of the canal network I love canals and narrow boats. Your vlog is interesting , full of questions and answers about the history of narrow boats. Most I know about but many will not. I think I recognise a slight midland accent? I was born in the Black Country but had to work hard to get rid of my accent because I became a pilot and ATC had difficulty understanding me! 🤣

[@robinbanando8416]

How did I miss this one?

[@TheRealSasquatch]

I'd recommend reading Water Gypsies by Julian Dutton and Maiden's trip by Emma Smith to give you more insight into earlier life on the canal network.

[@skippyone3085]

There is a specific log of census results of Canal people, I am certain if you did some research you could find out who lived on Maggie over the years, perhaps find out which companies she worked for and some archive photos. There are specialist societies that hold all sorts of records on canal people and their boats. Maybe find some living relatives of those captains ????

[@EarleWrites]

That is incredibly exciting to hear! I can't wait to dive in! Thanks for the tip!

[@skippyone3085]

@@EarleWrites welcome !

[@webpigjohn4959]

That was absolutely awesome 👌 history of the waterways.. really enjoyed 💝

[@EarleWrites]

Yes! Thank you so much, buddy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@Karma-fp7ho]

What an absolutely beautiful boat- I know lighting is tough in the winter but it’s hard to get a sense of the layout I am finding.

[@EarleWrites]

I need to get some more lighting inside. Sundown is 4:30pm at the moment, and the lights inside the boat aren't the greatest 😬

[@danhall8948]

Awesome history , one step at a time

[@danielmoss2394]

You truly are an amazing and incredible woman. I look forward to more history about Maggie. FYI meeting and chatting with you in Annapolis was the highlight of my Summer. Keep it up Lizbef.

[@EarleWrites]

Daniel! What a legend! Thank you so much for meeting us- being there with everyone will always be such a life highlight for me! Big love to you and thank you as always for your neverending support ❤️

[@danhall8948]

What don't kill you makes you stronger

[@michaelplowman876]

So cool! It's exciting to imagine what you might uncover. Much respect.

[@christopherolson5534]

i met you on delos, watched you since and loved this vid, thanks love the history of stuff.

[@andyboatsandbikes]

How wonderful that you have taken custodianship of the good ship Malvern/Maggie. Can tell by your video that the boat is on good hands. Enjoy your travels and her history. ...Maybe a book to follow!

[@EarleWrites]

Thank you so much, Andy! I hope so. She's my absolute pride and joy. Looking forward to sharing more stories with you all!

[@lovelyskull3483]

Thank you, fascinating. Cheers.

[@EarleWrites]

I'm so glad you enjoyed!

[@classiccars1994]

Morning , thank you for the informative and interesting video on the history of your boat. Living on a narrow boat certainly has its rewards but can also be challenging, even more so on a historic boat, so well done you. I use to look after a few narrow boats when I lived on my own boat, which was a 1914 WW1 RN boat and Dunkirk veteran, she had a great history and provenance. It took me nearly seven years to complete the restoration, thats if its ever completed ! When living with historic boats or houses you are really just the custodian. For my sins, I am now restoring a property dating back to Cromwells era. Good luck and enjoy the adventure 😊

[@EarleWrites]

That sounds so exciting! How amazing! I wish I was more physically skilled at fixing things. But I'm happy to learn. Maggie is my pride and joy, so I hope to become deserving of her. 💖

[@EarleWrites]

P.S- I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@danhall8948]

Love your channel

[@jeremybrambles7992]

Well lizee- e You have done your homework! Good for you, enjoyed the content think I read somewhere that they exchanged their horses on route for fresh ones then did same on the route back in fact unless Ive got this wrong i think when visiting Bingley five rise locks some of the buildings there used to be stables for that purpose now part of the cafe. Good luck on your travels. (Just remember safety first) take care navigating & when maintaining the boat. All the best Jeremy & kim

[@EarleWrites]

Hey Jeremy and Kim! Thank you so much for the love! I adore history and creating content on the canals about the subject I love is so exciting for me. I'll be delving a lot future into the history of boating and the people that worked on the boats on the cut. Thank you for joining me on the journey!

[@HiHi-zu1sk]

Really enjoyed learning about the history on the boat and canal. Thanks!

[@EarleWrites]

You are so welcome!

[@thatflightsimguy]

Lizbeth! I come from Delos. Pleased to see you are still on the water. Awesome. Delos reunion one day?

[@EarleWrites]

Hey pal! I was just with them in September for the Annapolis Boat Show! Was definitely emotional! 💖Thank you so much for following me on here! 💖

[@andrea22213]

I've been wondering about census records to find who was living on your boat during its history. And I wondered whether the census enumerator would have used the employment records of the operator company?

[@beamer302]

Thanks for the history lesson. I could not wrap my head around the canal boat thing until now. Your delivery and humor are spot on. Cheers !

[@EarleWrites]

Aww thank you so much! I can't wait to share with you the next ones!

[@mikefellows3901]

Another suberb insight into life on a boat and loved the history aspect, keep them coming please :o)

[@EarleWrites]

So glad you're enjoying them, Mike! 😊

[@thomasnisbett]

Liz: As I listened to you talk about your boat, I can just imagine a book (or series of books) coming. Thanks for the introduction to something that I predict that will take over your life for years to come. Peace & Blessings from New Brunswick, Canada! TN

[@EarleWrites]

Thank you so much, Thomas! A book is indeed in the works! Big love to you and thank you so much for the support!

[@thomasnisbett]

@@EarleWrites History, mystery, war & peace, romance, adventure - children, adolescents, young adults, adults... it's all there!

[@lowellirish]

So... where am I putting my guitar, mandolin, fiddle, flutes, bodhran, banjo, octave mandolin, strumstick, appalachian dulcimer? Where are those going?? 🤔

[@taniajackson9603]

Thanks a real insight

[@EarleWrites]

Thank you for watching, Tania! 🖤

[@suetocker1914]

Interesting, thank you from New Zealand, sending you my kindest thoughts across the miles xxx

[@EarleWrites]

Thank you so much, Sue! Sending you so much love and can't wait to share more about the history of the canals. 🖤

[@lowellirish]

See those sliding doors? Make them slide better with candle wax . Melt some wax, and slide some in there. Wash a veggie can out, crimp it for a spout. Remove the label, and melt the wax in it. Itll be hot... and DONT SPILL!! Move shit. Take a little on a paint brush, sponge...and dab it in the groove. Work the doors.

[@iggymac3473]

love it

[@EarleWrites]

Yay! I'm so glad!

[@ewoutvan-manen3583]

Your latest videos are totally wonderful. Thank you!

[@EarleWrites]

Aww that's made my day! Thank you!

[@1roanstephen]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video and I look forward to each new one. I imagine that with the research you are planning on doing and hopefully sharing that a book or books based on your research will become a reality. What better way to put your research to work and to earn income at the same time. Blessings and thank you yet again. I decided to purchase one of your books. I look forward to reading it.

[@EarleWrites]

Nicholas! Thank you so much! I've seen your order- you're an absolute darling! I'm really excited about sharing more about the canal network and the history behind it. It's so fascinating and exciting! Big love to you as ALWAYS. ❤️

[@1roanstephen]

@@EarleWrites You are a joy to watch. I haven't missed an episode starring you since your first days on Delos. I am looking forward to a good read

[@brianroberts6044]

What a fascinating video thank you Liz, I can't wait to hear more from you and your channel, Brian.

[@EarleWrites]

Thank you, Brian! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavidTangye]

I wonder how much history plus photos might be buried away in libraries all over England.

[@EarleWrites]

Exactly! I need to get investigating!

[@heffaazul]

Liz I'm coming over next summer to see my cousins. I'd love to take you to lunch.

[@johnwood1804]

Hi Lilly Lizzie Lilly-bet. love your videos especially now on your new boat Maggie! I watch over 15 different people on there journeys on utube on there narrowboats and widebeams journeys i hope to pick up my own tiller in about 10 years time! hopefully sooner! qhich is enough time to pick up all the doo's/donts maintenance jobs and so on. been watching kevin on country house gent he has taken an old working boat onto the lancaster canal and he mentioned that he had no weed hatch on this old boat.. cant remember if you have mentioned or not if you have got a weed hatch or if you will have to jump in and have a dip to clear the propeller if you get tangled?? God bless and stay safe!

[@EarleWrites]

Hey buddy! I do have a weed hatch, but I haven't had any problems recently - I'm sure I will in the future, but the water has been pretty decent- if a bit shallow in places! Thank you so much for following me on here. I'm so excited to show you the other stuff I get up to. I love Maggie and hope to one day be finally deserving of her! Big love! ❤️

[@123turby]

I could live down there in that room and you might not even find for a year,unless you caught me heading for the pub.

[@EarleWrites]

I'm planning to convert it back to its previous glory and see what it was like restricted to one room!

[@danch123]

What a beautiful boat! I love everything historic but not really thought about historic narrow boats before! With boats, especially those historic ones... is there ever documented history of the boat that comes with the purchase? As with historic houses for example, it may come with old deeds, photos, planning documents etc.

[@EarleWrites]

Some serious investigation is going to take place on Maggie! It's exciting!! 💪🏼

[@johncampbell4256]

What a brilliant video lots of information looking forward to more videos Liz x

[@EarleWrites]

That means a lot, John, thank you!

[@sicchuckie]

Did you paint the flowers with the leafs stacked up in your storage room? Reminds me of circles with wings. May be some history hidden there in plain site.

[@EarleWrites]

Hey there! I haven't painted anything there as of yet, but I plan to paint the table again- it's been painted over in the past 20 years and I want to bring it back to its former glory. Can't wait to show you! Big love ❤️

[@johncampbell4256]

Good afternoon Liz how do you forward and reverse and control the speed on Maggie that would make a fab video !

[@EarleWrites]

I will endeavour to film it for you, my darling! ❤️

[@SuperDaveyoutube]

How was we supposed to see the cabin when it looks like Steptoes Yard?

[@EarleWrites]

Have you been speaking with my mother?

[@SuperDaveyoutube]

@@EarleWrites Yes, she said you need to have a good clear out and do some dusting. Mum is always right.👍

[@lowellirish]

Rhats what Im telling you! We need to go 1/2 on a new widebeam! $200k ...right?! Right

[@peterrice9800]

Hi Lizbeth, an interesting video, just a reminder I emailed you on the 7th April with information about Maggie.

[@cnobillbradley9673]

You are the hidden gem…

[@EarleWrites]

Thank you, darling! 💎

[@danhall8948]

Look in for Roomie?

[@david_1948]

Hi. Lizbet. Wonderful history to be found about your NB. Check out "Narrowboat Adventures" yt channel as he is related ( ancestors ) to the coal boats of the 1800's /early 1900's. Great to see restoration of the old stove and the 'captains cabin'. Stay safe and enjoy your cruising. TTFN.

[@cirdiam1800]

Would be interesting to see you do a re-enactment of 4 people living in those small quarters (just the 5x7’ part at the back) for a weekend. Might even be enough footage for a little mini series.

[@EarleWrites]

I really like this idea. I want to bring the back cabin back to its former state- watch this space!

[@01jvb]

Interesting.... except the back cabin isn't a century old - it only dates from 1965 when the boat was converted to a motor.

[@EarleWrites]

I would love for it to be from the 60s. But it's not. Although the shell of the boat is a century old, we've recently discovered the house part was added in the 80s and an original styled very convincing back cabin in addition. However, if you insist the back cabin was removed in the 60s and replaced with the one that is on now, I'd love to read your source. The original cabin of Malvern is currently on the Australia. But as all these claims seem to be differing, that is the point to the investigation. And makes it more fun.

[@01jvb]

@@EarleWrites I should have said that the earliest the cabin could be was 1965 when the boat was converted to a motor. So although it is in the style of an older cabin, unfortunately because of the date a boating family would not have lived in your boat's cabin. Some of the history of your boat is on the National Historic Ships Register website.

[@steveriordan6348]

don't worry about getting a geezer, if you get one, he can live on the roof, no bother to you whatsoever.

[@EarleWrites]

The roof is a very adequate spot, I agree. ⚓🖤💪🏼

[@C_C_SEA]

❤⚓🖖

[@EarleWrites]

🖤⚓🖤

[@danhall8948]

Kinda nuggea buggers

[@lowellirish]

My ancestors founded Amersham Weller Brewery and owned 151 pubs, brought in gas and electric lighting, the railway there...Amersham. Weller. Brewery. GOOGLE IT..🤣