Hire boats took their toll

Published: Monday, 25 January 2010

AN OLD 1917 built wooden boat couldn't take the punishment of being struck so often by hire boats, that it has sunk, leaving its owner without a home.

Well known on the Lee Navigation, 'Leggs' Harland had to go into emergency accommodation after his boat Raven finally gave up and sank at its moorings near Cheshunt Lock on the river.

23 years

He had lived on the waterways for 23 years, in his present boat for 12, but has now lost everything. He tells that the growth of traffic had taken its toll on his wooden boat, and that it had been struck six times by hire boats, it's steerers being unable to control their craft.

The 93 years old boat was built by Ernie Thomas, who was a well known builder in his time, and Raven is just one of two still remaining.