Vienna was built by Fellows Morton and Clayton at their Saltley Dock in 1911, she was built as an iron composite horseboat with a forecabin. She cost 200 to build.
Vienna was first registered at Birmingham no 1234 on 3rd March 1911.
Vienna was gauged on the Grand Junction Canal no 11821 on April 19th 1912, the gauging sheet has been amended to show that the boat was renamed Verbena, this amendment is undated.
It was re-registered as Verbena at Birmingham no 1347 on 23rd June 1916. [It is feasible to suppose that Vienna, capital of Austria, as a supporter of Germany in WWI and also as the home of Franz Ferdinand whose assassination sparked WWI would not have been considered a patriotic name for a boat by the start of WWI in July 1914. This may be why it was re-named and re-registered]
Verbena was gauged on the BCN at Smethwick on 1st February 1917 no 22624.
On 17th April 1922 the boat, loaded with 27 tons 10cwt of Lyles sugar, towed by the motor Swallow sank in Blisworth Tunnel necessitating a stoppage to drain the tunnel. The boat was docked by FMC at Uxbridge in June 1935 and at Saltley in July 1938 before being sold by FMC in October 1942.
The BCN gauge sheet for the boat shows that its owner after FMC was G Mellor & Co Ltd.
In 1971 Verbena was restored by ME Braine at a cost of 3500, it was then owned by the Cheddleton Flint Mill Trust and kept at Cheddleton Flint Mill near Leek on the Caldon Canal, renamed Vienna.



FROM TOWPATH TALK ISSUE 30 MARCH 2008

"A small group of waterway enthusiasts has bought the ex-Fellows, Morton & Clayton narrowboat VIENNA from the Cheddleton Flint Mill Trust.
The trust reluctantly decided to part with the boat, which has been in their charge for around 35 years, to allow them to concentrate on their core activities.
The boat is in need of some minor restoration work and a repaint, but is in sound condition say the new owners. They intend to keep the boat in original order and take it to various rallies around the canal system, starting with the Easter gathering at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum.
Is it also hoped to pair Vienna up at certain rallies with the ex-FMC steamer Empress owned by BW employee and canal enthusiast Jim Taylor. When a full check on the hull condition and any repairs have been carried out, the boat will also, hopefully, be used in promoting canal carrying by loading her with bagged coal for delivery on behalf of John Jackson (from josher Roach)."
ENDS

Later in 2008 passed to Garry Shepherd who sold her to Sarah Edgson in Jan 2009.

July 2009 sold to Sam Noon and collected by Kestrel.

Gallery pictures containing Vienna

I have photos of Vienna just befor leaving Cheddleton for restoration http://www.boatsandcanals.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=3032&p=16092&hilit=vienna#p16092 at Boats and Canals forum.

Posted by: John Barratt, website owner.

(2009-09-19)

Oops. Sorry :) I\'m going to try and get over to Alvecote over the weekend to see her.

Posted by:

(2009-09-18)

Sarah, please don\'t describe a lovely Josher butty as an it! She is a she!

Posted by: Drew

(2009-09-07)

On the Ashby canal today returning from the Shackerstone festival behind Kestrel

Posted by: Drew

(2009-09-06)

Keep up Andy! Since Flint Mill owned it has been owned by Garry Shepherd, myself and now Sam Noon.

Posted by: Sarah

(2009-09-06)

oops teach me to read the thread fully, apologies to all.

Posted by: AMModels

(2009-09-06)

Sam is in fact Sarah and shes the daughter of Graham Edgson of Norton Canes fame.

Posted by: AMModels

(2009-08-28)

Has apparently been through 3 sets of hands since the \'friends\' bought her and on a quick glance is in great condition!

Posted by: Drew

(2009-08-28)

Has arrived at Alvecote with Kestrel

Posted by: Drew

(2009-08-24)

As Martin O\'Callaghan\'s Mother I can confirm that he IS NOT the new owner, but a very nice lady called Sam is. I believe the boat might be moored alongside Kestrel !

Posted by: Margaret O\'Callaghan

(2009-08-24)

Rumour has it Martin O\'Callaghan has taken ownership

Posted by:

(2009-08-24)

Vienna has been sold on recently!

Posted by:

(2009-08-22)

Has she moved home again?

Posted by: D.J.Goode

(2009-02-01)

Sarah Edgson of Norton Canes. Congrats Sarah!

Posted by: Liam

(2009-01-30)

Any gonna claim the new ownership?

Posted by: Drew

(2009-01-26)

Vienna has now been sold.

Posted by: Liam

(2009-01-25)

Drew, during the war Vienna was named Verbena, this may help you with fleet numbers?

Posted by:

(2009-01-23)

They are looking for about £18k

Posted by:

(2009-01-20)

Yes, she is. Contact number 07738255883 (Brian Jones). It would appear maybe the consortium didn\'t work out which is a shame.

Posted by: Drew

(2009-01-20)

Vienna is advertised for sale on Apolloduck. See the link here: http://www.apolloduck.com/display.phtml?aid=103481

Posted by: Liam

(2009-01-14)

Vienna was spotted in Northwich alongside GU motor Fenny.

Posted by: Liam

(2008-03-12)

Don\'t have the fleet numbers for vienna, could someone tell me!

Posted by: Drew

Use the form below to add news or recent sightings of Vienna FMC No.203.